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Blaise  de  Monluc 

"By 

A.  W.  EFANS 


CHICAGO : 
F.  G.  BROWNE  ^  CO, 

LONDON:  HERBERT  Sf  DANIEL 
1913 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Introduction         ......  i 

Appreciations  and  Testimonies        ...  29 

Blaise  de  Monluc           .          .          .          .          .  33 

THE  action  at  jean   DE  LUZ            ...  39 

THE    taking    of     CAPISTRANO    AND    THE    SUB- 
SEQUENT        CONSULTATION         BETWEEN        TWO 

DOCTORS  AND  A  SURGEON     ....  62 

THE  SKIRMISH  OF  THE  MADDALENA            .              ,  72 

THE  AFFAIR  OF  THE  MILLS  OF  AURIOLLE              .  87 

A     NOTABLE     ENTERPRISE     CARRIED     ON     BY     A 

MERCHANT  AND  ITS  RESULTS            .              ,              .  IO9 

THE  BRIDGE  OF  CARIGAN       .              .              .              .  I43 

MONLUC      IS      SENT      ON      AN      EMBASSY,      AND 
PERSUADES  THE  KING  TO    ALLOW  A    BATTLE  TO 

BE  FOUGHT        .              .              .              .              .              .  I  59 

THE  DAY  OF  CERISOLES           .              .              ,              .  1 78 

SIENA       .  .  .  .  ,  .  .194 

MONLUC  HAS  HONOURS  THRUST  URON  HIM         .  365 

THE     TAKING     OF     ARLON     AND     THE      DINNER 

THAT  SUCCEEDED  IT  .  .  .  .374 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  WARS  OF  RELIGION       .  387 
iii 


CONTENTS 


two  commissioners  pass  a  bad  quarter  of 

an  hour  at  monluc's  hands      .          .          .  4i5 

a  strange  dream     .          .          .          .          .  43  i 

rabastens  and   '  that   great   harquebuz- 

shot'    .......  436 

monluc  takes  leave  of  his  readers  .          .  455 

Bibliography         .                    ....  484 

Criticism     .                            ....  484 


INTRODUCTION 

On  a  fine  morning  in  the  early  years  of  the  six- 
teenth century,  a  young  Gascon  gentleman 
mounted  upon  a  Spanish  horse,  might  have  been 
seen  riding  forth  from  his  father's  estate  of  Monluc, 
near  Nerac,  bound  for  the  Italian  wars.  His  heart 
was  as  light  as  his  purse,  for  Italy  held  out 
golden  hopes  to  all  who  aspired  to  win  fame  and 
fortune  at  the  point  of  their  swords.  This  was  the 
case  with  our  young  adventurer.  He  belonged  to 
a  noble  but  impoverished  family,  and  had  nobody 
but  himself  to  depend  upon,  but  with  true  Gascon 
intrepidity  he  left  the  paternal  roof-tree  without 
ever  a  thought  of  the  possibility  of  failure.  Fifty 
years  later,  the  same  adventurer,  now  a  marshal  of 
France  and  an  ex-Governor  of  Guyenne,  '  maimed 
by  wounds  in  almost  all  his  limbs,'  and  '  without 
strength  or  hope  ever  to  be  cured  of  that  great 
Harquebuz-Shot  in  his  face,'  sat  down  to  dictate  the 
story  of  his  adventures.  The  Comment  aires  of 
Blaise  de  Monluc  have  long  been  recognised  in 
France  as  not  only  a  valuable  contribution  to 
history  but  as  one  of  the  best  books  of  adventure 


2  INTRODUCTION 

that  have  ever  been  written.  Full  of  life  and  move- 
ment, without  literary  artifice  or  pretensions,  these 
memoirs  give  us  an  admirable  picture  of  a  successful 
soldier  of  fortune  in  the  sixteenth  century.  Monluc 
himself  is  visible  in  every  page.  We  see  his 
Gascon  temperament,  to  which,  as  Cotton  says, 
*  bragging  was  as  natural  as  bravery,'  thirsting  for 
military  glory  but  not  blind  to  the  main  chance, 
proud,  active,  and  vigilant,  thinking  the  profession 
of  arms  the  noblest  in  the  world,  dreaming  of 
imaginary  battles  at  night  after  having  fought  in  real 
ones  by  day,  and  filled  with  a  feverish  rest- 
lessness from  the  moment  he  conceived  a  project 
until  he  carried  it  into  execution. 

But  if  '  the  soldier's  Bible,'  as  Henri  IV  called 
the  QommentaireSy  has  met  with  justice  in  France, 
the  power  that  decrees  the  fate  of  books  has  not 
dealt  generously  with  the  English  translation. 
About  a  hundred  years  after  Monluc's  death 
English  readers  were  presented  with  a  folio  volume 
bearing  the  title-page  reprinted  opposite. 

This  inviting  appeal  seems  to  have  met  with 
scant  response  from  the  hesitating  purchaser,  and 
Charles  Cotton — for  he  was  the  translator — failed 
to  rouse  in  his  contemporaries  any  interest  in  the 
career  of  '  the  greatest  Soldier  of  a  Subject  that  ever 
was  in  France.'  His  translation,  which  has  never 
been  reprinted,  is  marked  as  '  scarce '  when  it 
appears  in  a  second-hand  bookseller's  list,  and  it  is 
with  the  design  of  calling  attention  to  a  volume  of 
singular  interest  that  the  following  extracts  have 
been  reprinted. 


THE 

COMMENTARIES 

OF 

Messire  Blaize  de  Montluc 
MARESCHAL 

OF 

FRANCE 

WHEREIN  ARE  DESCRIB'D 

All  the  Combats,  Rencounters,  Skirmishes,  Battels, 

Sieges,  Assaults,  Scalado's,  the  Taking  and  Surprizes 

of  Towns  and  Fortresses ;  as  also  the  Defences  of  the 

Assaulted  and  Besieged : 

With  several  other  Signal  and  remarkable  Feats  of  War,  where- 
in this  great  and  renowned  Warriour  was  personally  engag'd, 
in  the  spaceof  fifty  or  threescore  years  that  he  bore  Arms  under 
several  Kings  of  France. 

TOGETHER    WITH 

Divers  Instructions,  that  such  ought  not  to  be  ignorant  of,  as  propose 

tolhemselves  by  the  practice  of  Arms,  to  arrive  at  anyeminent  degree  of 

Honor,  and  prudently  to  carry  on  all  the  Exploits  of  War. 

Cicero.  M.  Marcello,  Epist.  8,  1.  4. 
Omnia  sunt  miscra  in  BelHs  civilibus,  quae  Majores  nostri  ne  semel 
quidem,  nostra  aetas  saepejam  sensit :  sedmiserius  nihil,  quam 
ipsa  victoria :  quae  etiamsi  ad  meliores  venit,  tamen  cos  ipsosfero- 
ciores,  inipotentioresq ;  reddit :  ut,  etiamsi  naturd  tales  non  sint, 
necessitate  esse  cogantur.  Multa  enim  victori,  eorum  arbitrio, 
per  quos  vicit,  etiam  invito  faeiend a  sunt. 

LONDON 

Printed  by  Jndrevf  Clarke,  for  Henry  Brome^  at  the  Gun  at 

the  West  End  of  St.  Pauls.    MDCLXXIV. 


4  INTRODUCTION 

Blaise  de  Lasseran-Massencome,  seigneur  de 
Monluc,*  was  born  about  the  year  1502  at  Sainte- 
Gemme,  between  Condom  and  Fleurance,  in  the 
heart  of  Gascony.  His  father,  Francois  de  Monluc, 
belonged  to  the  family  of  the  Montesquious,  but 
had  lost  most  of  his  property,  an  evil  aggravated  by 
the  fact  that  he  had  to  provide  for  eleven  children. 
Blaise  was  the  eldest  of  these,  and  he  was  soon 
compelled  to  learn  that  if  he  was  to  make  his  way 
in  the  world  it  could  only  be  by  his  own  exertions. 

*  Although,'  he  tells  us,  *  I  myself  am  a  Gentleman  by 
Birth,  yet  have  I  notwithstanding  been  rais'd  to  that 
degree  of  Honour  wherein  I  now  stand,  as  leisurely,  and 
as  much  step  by  step,  as  any  the  poorest  Soldier  who 
has  serv'd  in  this  Kingdom  these  many  years.  For 
being  born  into  the  World  the  Son  of  a  Gentleman, 
whose  Father  had  made  sale  of  all  his  Estate,  to 
only  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand  Livres  yearly  Revenue, 
and  being  the  eldest  of  six  Brothers  that  we  were,  I 
thought  it  principally  concern'd  me  to  illustrate  the  Name 
of  Montluc  (which  is  that  of  our  Family)  as  I  have 
also  done  with  as  much  Peril,  and  as  many  Hazards  of 
my  Life,  as  Soldier  or  Captain  ever  did.' 

Monluc  tells  us  little  of  his  early  years,  but  from 
what  we  know  of  the  small  Gascon  noblemen  of  the 
time  we  can  easily  form  a  picture  of  the  household. 
The  family  had  more  pride  than  pence,  and,  as 
each  fresh  mouth  came  to  demand  its  share,  the 
father  must  have  been  at  his  wit's  end  to  secure 

*  The  word  has  frequently  been  written  Montluc,  but 
its  derivation  from  bonus  lucus  shows  that  the  proper  form 
is  Monluc. 


INTRODUCTION  5 

even  a  bare  subsistence.  Black  bread  and  not  too 
much  of  it  was  the  fare,  but  poverty  and  plain 
living  have  nourished  a  fine  crop  of  distinguished 
soldiers  as  the  annals  of  many  an  English  vicarage 
could  prove.  A  lucky  chance  gave  the  boy  such 
education  as  was  then  available,  and  set  his  feet 
upon  the  first  rung  of  the  ladder  he  was  to 
mount. 

Through  the  kind  offices  of  a  Gascon  neighbour, 
Francois  de  Monluc  was  enabled  to  place  his  eldest 
son  as  a  page  in  the  household  of  Duke  Antoine 
of  Lorraine.  There  Monluc  learned  to  read,  to 
sign  his  name,  and  to  handle  his  weapons.  He 
also  learned,  we  can  believe  with  more  ease  than 
reading  and  writing,  the  history  of  some  of  the 
great  soldiers  of  the  past  generation.  Lorraine  was 
then  filled  with  memories  of  the  great  struggle  of 
forty  years  before,  when  Rene  of  Lorraine  had 
defeated  Charles  the  Bold.  Monluc's  imagination 
was  fired  by  what  he  heard,  and  he  eagerly  drank  in 
the  stories,  which  the  survivors  of  the  siege  of  Nancy 
used  to  tell,  of  how  the  besieged  had  kept  themselves 
alive  on  a  diet  of  dogs,  cats,  rats,  and  mice,  and  of 
the  fame  that  their  stubborn  resistance  had  brought 
them.  He  heard,  too,  that  it  was  his  fellow- 
Gascons  who  had  most  distinguished  themselves, 
and  there  were  dim  rumours  of  a  Gascon  captain 
who  had  crossed  the  seas  and  taken  service  under 
the  Grand  Turk,  calling  himself  Armagnac  Pasha, 
in  memory  of  his  native  province.  We  may  well 
think  that  these  tales,  repeated  around  the  fire-place 
in  the  great  hall  of  the  Castle  of  Nancy,  came  back 


6  INTRODUCTION 

into  Monluc's  mind  during  the  memorable  days 
of  his  own  defence  of  Siena. 

When  his  time  as  page  was  ended,  he  was, 
according  to  the  usual  custom,  given  a  place  as 
archer  in  the  Duke's  company  of  soldiers.  The 
company  was  commanded  by  no  less  a  personage  than 
the  Chevalier  Bayard,  but  the  main  body  was  then 
in  Italy  with  the  Duke,  and  Monluc  formed  one 
of  a  small  detachment  left  at  home  to  keep  order 
in  the  duchy.  This  inaction  was  little  to  his  mind. 
'Enflam'd  with  the  report  of  the  noble  Feats  of 
Arms  every  day  perform'd  in  Italy,  which  in  those 
days  was  the  Scene  of  Action,'  he  'was  possess'd 
with  a  longing  desire  to  visit  that  Country.'  He 
left  Lorraine,  returned  to  Gascony,  persuaded  his 
father  to  give  him  a  little  money  and  a  Spanish 
horse,  and  thus  equipped,  set  out  like  another 
d'Artagnan  upon  the  road  to  Italy. 

About  a  day's  journey  from  home,  Monluc 
turned  aside  to  visit  the  Sieur  de  Castlenau,  'an 
antient  Gentleman  who  had  long  frequented  Italy,' 
and  to  benefit  by  the  experiences  of  the  old 
campaigner.  The  conversation  raised  his  ardour 
to  boiling  point  'and  without  longer  abode,  or 
staying  anywhere  longer  than  to  refresh  himself 
and  his  horse,  he  passed  over  the  Alps,'  and  took 
his  way  '  directly  to  Milan.'  At  Milan  he  found 
two  of  his  mother's  brothers,  Gaxiot  and  Fran9ois 
de  Mondenard,  men  of  considerable  reputation  in 
the  army,  who  gave  their  nephew  a  hearty  welcome, 
and  obtained  for  him  an  archer's  place  in  the 
company  of  Thomas  de  Foix,  Sire  de  Lescun,  the 


INTRODUCTION  7 

younger  brother  of  Lautrec  the  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  army.  The  position  of  archer  as 
Monluc  does  not  omit  to  tell  us,  was  'a  Place  of 
great  repute  in  those  days,  there  being  in  those 
times  several  Lords  and  great  persons  who  rode  in 
Troops,  and  two  or  three  who  were  Archers  in  this.' 
But  he  adds,  with  the  regretful  backward  glance  of 
a  veteran,  'since  that  time  Discipline  is  lost  and 
grown  degenerate,  and  all  things  turn'd  upside 
down,  without  hopes  that  any  man  now  alive  shall 
ever  see  them  restor'd  to  their  former  estate.' 

Monluc's  first  experiences  of  war  fell  far  short 
of  his  dreams.  Lautrec's  campaign  in  Milan  was 
disastrous,  and  instead  of  the  victories  to  which  our 
young  Gascon  looked  forward  he  had  to  learn  what 
it  was  to  belong  to  a  beaten  army.  That  he  had 
his  share  of  the  fighting  is  evident  from  the  fact 
that  five  horses  were  killed  under  him  during  the 
twenty-two  months  the  campaign  lasted.  At 
Bicoque  he  fought  on  foot,  side  by  side  with  the 
future  Constable  de  Montmorency,  and  when  the 
remnant  of  Lautrec's  army  evacuated  Italy  he  had 
to  return  with  his  company  to  keep  garrison  in 
Gascony. 

An  attack  upon  Bayonne  by  the  Imperial  forces 
under  the  Prince  of  Orange,  gave  Monluc  his 
next  opportunity.  With  some  difficulty  he  ob- 
tained leave  of  absence  from  his  company  and 
volunteered  as  an  ensign  in  the  defending  army 
which  Lautrec  was  organising.  A  mistake  made 
by  his  immediate  superior,  Captain  Carbon,  at 
St  Jean  de  Luz,  jeopardised  the  army,  but  Monluc 


8  INTRODUCTION 

together  with  six  Gascon  arquebusiers  who  hap- 
pened to  be  in  his  company,  averted  the  danger. 
Lautrec,  a  General  usually  sparing  of  his  praise, 
sent  for  the  young  ensign,  entertained  him  '  as  he 
would  any  Gentleman  in  the  Kingdom,'  and 
dismissed  him  with  the  words,  'Monluc,  my 
friend,  I  will  never  forget  the  service  you  have 
this  day  performed  the  King  ;  but  will  be  mindful 
of  it  so  long  as  I  live.'  'This,'  says  Monluc, 
'  was  the  first  action  I  was  ever  in  in  the  quality 
of  a  Commander,  and  from  whence  I  began  to 
derive  my  reputation.'  He  had  served  his 
apprenticeship  to  the  trade  of  arms  and  his  first 
success  was  exhilarating.  The  love  of  battle  was 
in  his  veins.  '  At  such  kind  of  Banquets,  my 
body,  methought,  did  not  weigh  an  ounce,  and 
I  fancied  that  I  did  not  touch  the  ground.'  When, 
a  few  months  later,  Lautrec  gave  him  the 
command  of  a  company,  he  could  feel  that  he  was 
on  the  way  to  realise  his  dreams. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  give  an  account  here 
of  all  the  expeditions  in  which  Monluc  had  a 
share.  Occasions  for  proving  his  metal  were  not 
long  to  seek,  for  it  was  the  period  of  the  prolonged 
duel  between  Charles  V  and  Francis  I — 'an 
Emulation  that  has  cost  the  Lives  of  two  hundred 
thousand  Persons,  and  brought  a  million  of  Families 
to  utter  Ruin  ;  when  after  all  neither  the  one  nor 
the  other  obtain'd  any  other  advantage  by  the 
Dispute,  than  the  bare  Repentance  of  having  been 
the  causers  of  so  many  Miseries,  and  of  the 
Effusion  of  so  much   Christian  Bloud.'     At   Pavia, 


INTRODUCTION  9 

Monluc  shared  his  sovereign's  fate,  but  obscurity 
has  its  compensations,  and  instead  of  being  held  to 
ransom  he  was  at  once  released.  When  Francis  I 
returned  from  his  exile,  Monluc  was  at  the  head  of 
a  Gascon  band  of  eight  hundred  men  who  formed 
part  of  Lautrec's  Italian  army.  He  led  the  attack 
upon  Porchianna,  a  small  town  near  Ascoli,  with  a 
determination  that  added  to  his  fame  but  nearly 
cost  him  his  life.*  SuflFering  from  wounds  which 
were  but  partly  healed,  and  with  his  arm  bound  up 
in  a  sling,  he  made  his  way  upon  a  mule  to  Naples. 
He  intended  to  witness  the  siege  merely  as  a 
spectator,  but  the  disembarkation  of  the  Prince  of 
Navarre  was  carried  out  in  so  blundering  a  style 
that  Monluc's  professional  feeling  and  eagerness  to 
be  in  a  fight  were  roused,  and  he  took  an  active 
part  in  the  ensuing  battle.  The  result  brought 
little  credit  to  the  French  arms,  though  Monluc 
had  the  good  fortune  to  overhear  a  remark  about 
his  own  conduct  which  he  inserts  'without  bragging 
or  vain  glory.' 

'The  Gentleman  who  was  with  the  Marquess  [de 
Saluces],  when  he  came  to  command  me  to  retire,  I  have 
forgot  his  name,  said  to  him  (for  I  heard  him  very  well) 
"  Monsieur,  I  now  see  that  the  ancient  proverb  is  true, 
w^hich  says,  that  one  man  is  worth  an  hundred,  and  an 
hundred  are  not  so  good  as  one  :  I  speak  it  by  this 
Captain  who  has  his  arm  in  a  scarf,  and  leans  to  the 
Rampire  (for  in  truth  I  was  quite  spent)  for  it  must 
needs  be  acknowledged  that  he  is  the  only  cause  of  our 
preservation." ' 

*  cf.  his  account  of  the  attack  p,  62. 


lo  INTRODUCTION 

This  commendation,  Monluc  tells  us,  made  his 
heart  'swell  with  courage,'  and  he  observes  that 
'these  little  points  of  honor  serve  very  much  in 
matters  of  War,  and  are  the  cause  that  when  a  man 
shall  again  happen  to  be  in  the  service  he  fears 
nothing.'  '  It  is  very  true,'  he  continues,  '  that 
men  are  sometimes  mistaken  and  gain  nothing  but 
blows  ;  but,'  he  adds  philosophically,  '  there  is  no 
remedy  for  that,  we  must  give  and  take.' 

The  siege  of  Naples  was  a  succession  of  disasters 
for  the  French.  The  Prince  of  Navarre  died 
three  weeks  after  his  arrival,  Lautrec  soon  after- 
wards, and  his  soldiers  were  forced  to  capitulate. 
They  were  escorted  by  the  Imperial  troops  to  the 
frontiers  of  Naples,  and  then  dismissed  to  beg  their 
way  home.  The  failure  of  the  expedition  was  a 
grave  personal  misfortune  for  Monluc. 

*  For  my  part,'  he  writes,  '  with  that  little  that  was 
saved,  which  was  almost  nothing,  I  return'd  the  greatest 
part  of  my  Journey  on  foot,  with  my  arm  in  a  scarf 
(having  above  thirty  Ells  of  Taffeta  about  me,  forasmuch 
as  they  had  bound  my  arm  and  my  body  together 
with  a  cushion  between)  wishing  a  thousand  times  rather 
to  die  than  to  live,  for  I  had  lost  all  my  Masters  and 
Friends  who  knew  and  lov'd  me.  ...  In  this  hand- 
som  equipage  I  came  home  to  my  Father's  house, 
where,  poor  Gentleman,  I  found  him  engag'd  in  too 
many  necessities  of  his  own  to  be  in  any  capacity  of 
much  assisting  me  ;  forasmuch  as  his  Father  had  sold 
three  parts  of  four  of  the  Estate  of  the  Family,  and  had 
left  the  remainder  charg'd  with  five  children  by  a 
second  venture,  besides  us  of  my  Father's  who  were  no 
less  than  ten.     By  which  any  one  may  judge  in  what 


INTRODUCTION  ii 

necessities  we  who  are  come  out  of  the  Family  of 
Montluc  have  been  constrained  to  follow  the  fortunes  of 
the  world.  And  yet  our  house  was  not  so  contemptible 
but  that  it  had  near  upon  five  thousand  Livers  yearly 
revenue  belonging  to  it  before  it  was  sold.  To  fit 
myself  in  all  points  I  was  constrained  to  stay  three  years 
at  home,  without  being  able  to  get  any  cure  for  my  arm, 
and  after  I  was  cur'd  I  was  to  begin  the  world  again,  as 
I  did  the  first  day  I  came  out  from  a  Page,  and  as  a  person 
unknown  seek  my  fortune  in  all  sorts  of  necessities,  and 
with  extream  peril  of  my  life.' 

Once  again  the  wars  between  Charles  V  and 
Francis  I  called  Monluc  into  active  service.  On 
his  own  initiative  he  planned  and  performed  the 
destruction  of  the  mills  of  Auriol,  which  helped  to 
victual  the  Imperial  army — an  enterprise  in  which 
reckless  daring  and  calculation  were  united.  To 
Monluc's  disgust  the  whole  credit  for  the  feat  was 
taken  by  Barbezieux,  his  incapable  superior. 
'  Monsieur  de  Lautrec  would  not  have  serv'd  me 
so,'  says  Monluc,  '  neither  is  it  handsom  to  rob 
another  man  of  his  honor  ;  and  there  is  nothing 
that  does  more  discourage  a  brave  heart.' 

During  the  truce  that  followed  the  campaign  in 
Provence,  Monluc  visited  Paris  and  '  tryed  (for- 
sooth) to  be  a  Courtier,  but  in  vain,  for  I  was 
never  cut  out  for  that  employment,  I  have  ever 
been  too  free  and  too  open-hearted  to  live  at  Court ; 
and  I  succeeded  there  accordingly.'  Nor  was  the 
trade  of  spy,  which  a  little  before  this  he  also 
essayed,  more  to  his  taste.  The  Constable  de 
Montmorency  had  in  1537  obtained  permission  for 
two    of  his    officers    to    visit    Perpignan.     Mont- 


12  INTRODUCTION 

morency  suggested  that  Monluc  should  accompany 
them  in  the  character  of  a  cook,  and  obtain  informa- 
tion concerning  the  fortification  of  the  city. 

*  Now  you  must  know  this  was  only  a  pretended 
divertisement  of  Poyet  and  Bayard,  who  durst  by  no 
means  take  the  King's  Engineer  in  their  company,  as 
the  Connestable  would  have  had  them,  fearing  he  might 
be  discovered,  and  themselves  by  that  means  detain'd 
Prisoners  :  neither  did  they  fail  to  relate  to  him  after- 
wards the  fright  they  were  in  when  a  Spanish  Captain 
challeng'd  me  by  my  name  :  but  I  faced  him  out  of  the 
business,  counterfeiting  both  my  country  and  Language, 
and  dissembling  better  to  understand  how  to  handle  a 
larding-pin  than  a  sword,  and  saying  that  I  was  a  Cook 
to  Monsieur  le  President  Poyet,  who  himself  had  not  a 
word  to  say  for  the  terrible  fear  he  was  in  lest  I  should 
be  discover'd,  but  General  Bayart  laugh'd  the  Spanish 
Captain  out  of  his  conceit,  in  private  telling  him  that  he 
was  not  the  first  who  had  been  so  deceiv'd,  but  that  the 
man  he  took  me  for  was  one  of  the  best  Captains  the 
King  of  France  ever  had.  At  all  this  story  the 
Constable  did  only  laugh  ;  but  I  very  seriously  told  him 
that  he  should  never  make  me  play  the  Spye  again  so 
long  as  he  liv'd.  'Tis  an  employment  of  too  great 
danger,  and  that  I  have  ever  abhorred.' 

The  next  extraordinary  event  in  Monluc's  life 
— for  he  carried  on  his  trade  of  soldier  with  an 
ardour  that  made  battles,  wounds,  and  hair-breadth 
escapes  ordinary  events  in  his  existence — was  his 
mission  from  the  Comte  d'Anguien  to  Francis  I. 
The  young  Count  was  opposed  in  Piedmont  by  a 
powerful  force  under  the  Marquis  du  Guast. 
Perplexed    by    the    contradictory    opinions    of   his 


INTRODUCTION  13 

lieutenants,  he  despatched  Monluc  to  inform  the 
king  of  the  situation  and  to  receive  his  orders.  The 
scene  at  the  royal  council  when  Monluc's  advocacy 
turned  the  scales  in  favour  of  an  immediate  battle, 
is  one  of  the  most  dramatic  in  the  Commentaires  and 
can  be  read  in  detail  further  on.*  It  is  enough  to 
say  here  that  though  no  official  document  confirms 
Monluc's  account,  and  though  in  writing  it  he 
seems  to  have  refreshed  his  memory  by  consulting 
Martin  du  Bellay's  Memoires^  there  is  no  sufficient 
reason  for  doubting  his  general  accuracy.  He 
lost  no  time  in  bringing  the  news  to  the  army, 
going  among  the  soldiers  and  '  assuring  them  that 
we  should  all  be  highly  recompenc'd  by  the  King, 
making  the  matter  something  better  than  it  was  ; 
for  a  man  must  now  and  then  lye  a  little  for  his 
Master.'  The  battle  was  murderous  even  for 
those  times.  Over  ten  thousand  were  killed,  and 
it  was  said  that  in  Cerisoles  and  for  a  quarter  of  a 
league  around,  the  horses  went  up  to  their  knees  in 
blood.  Monluc,  as  usual,  did  prodigies  of  valour, 
but  this  time  he  received  some  of  the  credit  he 
deserved. 

'  Thus  then  we  arriv'd  at  the  Camp,  where  Monsieur 
d'Anguien  was,  to  whom  I  went,  and  making  my  horse 
curvet,  said  to  him  sportingly  these  words  :  "  What  think 
you.  Sir,  am  I  not  as  pretty  a  fellow  on  horseback  as  I 
am  on  foot  ? "  to  which  he  made  answer  (though  yet 
very  melancholy)  "you  will  always  behave  yourself  very 
well,  both  in  the  one  posture  and  in  the  other,"  and 
bowing  his  body  was  pleased  to  embrace  me  in  his  arms, 

*  cf.  page  159. 


14  INTRODUCTION 

and  knighted  me  upon  the  place  ;  an  honor  I  shall  be 
proud  of  so  long  as  I  live,  both  for  being  perform'd 
upon  the  field  of  Battel,  and  by  the  hand  of  so  generous 
and  so  great  a  Prince.' 

We  pass  on  to  what  was  in  many  respects  the 
culminating  event  in  Monluc's  career — his  famous 
defence  of  Siena  in  I554andi555.  Theextracts* 
from  his  own  full  description  of  the  siege  will 
enable  readers  to  judge  of  the  qualities  that  made 
him  so  brilliant  a  soldier.  Monluc  at  last  held  the 
first  place,  and  was  in  supreme  command  of  an 
army,  but  it  was  under  conditions  that  would  make 
the  stoutest  heart  quail.  Opposed  to  him  was  an 
intelligent  and  energetic  enemy,  ably  led,  well 
supplied  with  artillery,  and  urged  on  by  a  well- 
founded  hatred.  With  him  were  soldiers  of  four 
countries,  speaking  four  different  languages,  mostly 
mercenaries  devoid  of  patriotism  or  loyalty,  dis- 
heartened by  the  remembrance  of  recent  defeat,  and 
little  disposed  to  show  any  desperate  courage  for  a 
king  and  a  cause  concerning  which  they  knew 
little  and  for  which  they  cared  less.  He  had  to 
defend  a  city  whose  inhabitants  were  proverbially 
fickle  and  difficult  to  lead,  easily  roused  to  enthusi- 
asm but  no  less  easily  thrown  into  despair,  one 
moment  full  of  confidence  in  their  commander,  the 
next  anxious  to  parley  with  the  enemy.  Monluc 
had  to  weld  all  these  divergent  units  into  a  single 
coherent  body,  to  inspire  them  with  his  own 
determination  to  hold  out  at  any  sacrifice,  and  to 
smoothe  out  the  jealousies  and  suspicions  which 
*  cj.  page  194. 


INTRODUCTION  15 

were  always  dividing  them  from  one  another.  He 
had  to  keep  on  the  watch  night  and  day,  to  resist 
surprises  from  without,  and  to  guard  against 
treachery  within.  That  he  kept  the  besiegers  at 
bay  for  as  long  as  he  did  is  a  feat  not  only  of 
endurance,  but  of  generalship  and  all  the  qualities 
necessary  to  a  leader  of  men,  and  one  which  has 
seldom  been  equalled.  That  he  described  it  in  the 
way  he  has  is  almost  an  equal  ground  for  our 
admiration.  All  the  incidents  of  the  siege  are 
brought  before  our  eyes  with  a  vividness  and  sense 
of  reality  that  make  the  description  one  of  the  most 
memorable  ever  written.  It  is  true  that  the 
narrator  has  no  false  shame,  and  does  not  shrink 
from  taking  full  credit  for  his  own  achievements. 
But  the  credit  was  well  deserved,  and  among 
stories  of  their  own  deeds  told  by  great  men  of 
action,  Monluc's  description  of  the  defence  of 
Siena  will  always  take  a  high  place. 

From  Monluc's  point  of  view  the  siege  of  Siena 
had  but  one  defect.  It  ended  in  the  victory  of  the 
besiegers.  In  April  1555,  after  incredible  priva- 
tions and  a  resistance  as  remarkable  for  the  skill  as 
for  the  heroism  with  which  it  was  conducted,  the 
people  of  Siena  told  Monluc  that  it  was  useless  to 
expect  a  relieving  force,  and  that  it  was  beyond 
human  endurance  to  hold  out  any  longer.  He 
recognised  the  inevitable,  but  the  proud  old  soldier 
swore  that  the  name  of  Monluc  would  never  be 
written  at  the  foot  of  any  capitulation,  and  after 
some  negotiations  between  the  Siennese  and  the 
Spaniards,  he  and  his   French  troops   marched  out 


1 6  INTRODUCTION 

with  all  the  honours  of  war.  On  their  retreat  the 
troops  and  their  commander  were  driven  to  feed 
upon  horses  and  nettles,  occasionally  moistened  by 
a  little  oil  taken  out  of  the  lamps  in  the  churches. 

*  In  this  manner  then,  nothing  but  skin  and  bone,  and 
more  like  Ghosts  than  men  we  arrived  at  Montalsin. 
,  .  .  Now  where  will  you  find  in  any  History,  that 
ever  man  went  out  of  a  place  without  capitulation,  if 
he  did  not  steal  away  by  night,  but  not  after  the 
manner  I  went  out.  For  every  one  will  confess  that  I 
did  not  belong  to  the  Siennese  and  that  consequently 
they  could  not  capitulate  for  me.  So  it  was,  that  by 
the  good  will  of  God,  I  came  out  after  this  manner,  and 
the  Patent  is  to  be  seen  in  the  King's  Treasury,  as 
I  shall  say  hereafter.' 

Monluc  had  at  last  achieved  the  fame  for  which 
he  lived.  On  his  way  back  to  France  he  passed 
through  Rome,  and  the  Pope,  though  '  so  ill  that 
he  had  much  ado  to  speak,'  complimented  him  highly 
and  set  him  in  a  chair  by  his  bedside  to  hear 
the  account  of  his  adventures.  Cardinals  and 
ambassadors  were  equally  eulogistic,  and  though 
'  the  pomps,  pleasures,  delights,  and  curiosities  '  of 
the  city  attracted  Monluc,  he  set  out  for  home 
without  delay,  '  conceiving  I  might  elsewhere  be 
serviceable  to  the  King  my  Master.' 

'  One  thing  I  must  needs  say,  though  it  be  in  my  own 
commendation,  that  as  I  passed  along  the  streets,  and 
going  to  the  Castle  of  St  Angelo,  every  one  ran  to  the 
windows,  and  to  their  doors  to  see  the  man  that  had  so 
long  defended  Sienna.  Which  only  serv'd  to  enflame 
my  courage  the  more  to  acquire  honor  ;  and  though  I 


INTRODUCTION  17 

had  scarce  money  to  carry  me  home,  I  fancied  myself  as 
rich  as  the  greatest  man  in  France.' 

Afterwards,  at  the  Court  of  Henry  II,  he 
received  a  welcome  which  went  a  long  way  to 
satisfy  his  appetite  for  glory.  The  King  gave  him 
audience  after  dinner,  an  hour  usually  reserved  for 
ambassadors  and  personages  of  importance.  Henry 
II  delighted  in  narratives  of  war,  and  required 
Monluc  to  give  him  a  minute  account  of  the  siege, 
'  which  made  the  story  so  long  that  the  Captains 
who  were  come  along  with  me,  and  waited  with- 
out upon  the  Terrass,  told  me  that  they  heard  the 
clock  strike  five  times  whilst  I  was  in  the  Gallery 
with  the  King.'  Next  day  Diane  de  Poitiers  told 
Monluc  that  '  she  had  never  known  any  man  return 
from  an  employment  with  whom  the  King  was 
better  satisfied,'  and  a  day  later  he  was  created  a 
Knight  of  the  Order,  '  which  in  those  times  was  so 
noble  a  thing,  and  so  much  sought  for,  that  the 
greatest  Prince  in  France  could  not  have  been 
satisfied  without  it,  and  would  rather  the  King 
should  never  confer  any  honor  upon  him,  than  deny 
him  that.'  He  was  also  given  a  rent  of  three 
thousand  crowns  charged  upon  certain  Gascon 
estates,  a  pension  of  three  thousand  francs,  and  two 
thousand  crowns  in  cash.  In  the  blaze  of  this  signal 
triumph  he  returned  to  Gascony. 

Three  weeks  later,  'having  scarce  seen  his  house 
and  his  friends,'  he  was  again  summoned  to  take 
the  field,  and  thenceforward  there  were  few 
military  expeditions  in  which  he  did  not  play  a 
leading  part.  His  fortune  indeed  advanced  so 
B 


1 8  INTRODUCTION 

rapidly  that  his  head  was  a  little  turned.  He 
refused  to  obey  Thermes,  who  replaced  Brissac  in 
Piedmont  ;  carried  out  another  campaign  in  the 
province  of  Siena  ;  fought  for  some  time  under  the 
Duke  of  Ferrara,  and  returned  to  Paris  where  a  new 
honour  awaited  him. 

*  Two  dayes  had  not  past  before  the  King  sent  for  me 
to  come  to  him  to  Cressy,  without  giving  me  notice  what 
it  was  about,  and  I  heard  the  next  morning  after  I 
departed  from  thence  the  King  had  caused  Monsieur 
d'Andelot  to  be  arrested  about  some  answer  he  had  made 
him  concerning  Religion.  So  soon  as  I  was  come  the 
King  sent  for  me  into  his  Chamber,  where  he  had  with 
him  the  Cardinal  of  Lorraine  and  two  or  three  others, 
and  there  the  King  told  me  that  I  must  go  to  Metz  to 
the  Duke  of  Guise,  there  to  command  the  Foot,  of  which 
Monsieur  d'Andelot  was  Colonel.  I  most  humbly 
besought  his  Majesty  not  to  make  me  to  intermeddle 
with  another  man's  command,  which  rather  than  I 
would  do,  I  would  go  serve  his  Majesty  under  the  Duke 
of  Guise  in  the  quality  of  a  private  Soldier,  or  else 
would  command  his  Pioneers,  rather  than  take  upon  me 
this  employment.  The  King  then  told  me  that 
Monsieur  de  Guise,  so  soon  as  he  had  heard  of  Andelot's 
imprisonment,  had  himself  sent  to  demand  me  to 
exercise  the  said  command.  Seeing  then  I  could  get 
nothing  by  excuses,  I  told  his  Majesty  that  I  was  not  yet 
cur'd  of  a  Dyssentery  my  disease  had  left  me,  and  that 
this  was  a  command  which  requir'd  health  and  disposi- 
tion of  body  to  perform  it  ;  which  were  neither  of  them 
in  me  ;  whereupon  his  Majesty  told  me  that  he  should 
think  this  Command  better  discharg'd  by  me  in  a  Litter 
than  by  another  in  perfect  health,  and  that  he  did  not 
give  it  me  to  exercise  for  another  but  that  he  intended 
I  should  have  it  for  ever.' 


INTRODUCTION  19 

This  appointment  as  Colonel-General  of 
Infantry  was  a  signal  honour,  but  the  astute 
Gascon  recognised  that  it  was  also  a  dangerous  one. 
It  made  him  one  of  the  principal  personages  in  the 
kingdom,  but  it  set  against  him  the  powerful 
families  of  Montmorency  and  Chatillon.  He  was 
stepping  into  the  shoes  of  the  brother  of  Admiral 
Coligny  and  the  nephew  of  the  Constable  of 
France.  Such  a  rivalry  was  not  to  be  lightly 
undertaken  by  a  provincial  nobleman,  and  after  the 
Treaty  of  Cateau-Cambresis  he  hastened  to 
resign  his  perilous  distinction.  He  left  the  Court, 
where  the  Constable  was  again  in  high  favour,  and 
once  more  returned  to  his  Gascon  estates.  There 
he  heard  of  the  tragic  death  of  Henry  II,  of  the 
events  of  his  successor's  brief  reign,  and  of  the 
turmoil  that  ushered  in  the  Regency  of  Catherine 
de'  Medici.  The  wars  of  religion  were  about  to 
begin,  and  a  new  field  was  opening  for  Monluc's 
zeal  and  activity,  a  field  in  which  he  admits  that  he 
'  was  constrained,  contrary  to  his  own  nature,  to  use 
not  only  severity,  but  even  sometimes  to  be  cruel.' 
With  the  close  of  the  Italian  wars  and  the  out- 
break of  the  wars  of  religion,  the  spirit  of  Monluc's 
narrative  and  our  view  of  his  character  undergo  a 
change.  Hitherto  we  have  been  able  to  admire  the 
soldier,  inspired  by  a  burning  passion  for  glory, 
carving  his  way  to  the  highest  place  by  the  might 
of  his  own  right  arm.  We  must  now  look  upon 
him,  still  as  a  soldier,  but  a  soldier  whose  activities 
resembled  closely  those  of  an  executioner,  carrying 
out  his  task  of  reducing  his  country  to  order,  but 


20  INTRODUCTION 

doing  it  with  a  ruthless  severity  that  appalled 
even  his  contemporaries.  This  sinister  reputation 
is  all  the  more  to  his  disgrace  because  he  seems  for 
a  moment  to  have  leant  an  ear  to  the  Reformed 
opinions.  The  fact  w^as  that  he  cared  little  for 
points  of  theological  doctrine,  and  few  men  would 
have  given  a  more  whole-hearted  support  to 
Nietzsche's  dictum  that  '  a  good  war  justifies  any 
cause.'  By  his  own  confession  he  was  'rather 
inclined  to  violence  than  to  peace,  and  was  more 
prone  to  fighting  and  cutting  of  throats  than  to 
making  of  speeches.'  His  title  of  '  the  King's 
butcher '  was  well  earned,  and  he  recounts  his  own 
most  barbarous  doings  with  a  complacency  that 
approaches  cynicism.  At  the  very  beginning  of 
the  proceedings  he  procured  two  hangmen — '  whom 
they  have  since  call'd  my  Lacquais,  because  they 
were  very  often  at  my  heels  ' — and  went  to  one  of 
the  disturbed  districts  where  he  executed  several  of 
the  Huguenots  '  without  sentence  or  writing,  for  in 
such  matters,  I  have  heard,  men  must  begin  with 
execution,  and  if  every  one  that  had  the  charge 
of  Provinces  had  done  the  same  they  had  put  out 
the  fire  that  has  since  consum'd  all.'  Hardly 
a  day  passed  without  wholesale  hangings  and 
burnings.  '  One  might  see  all  thereabouts  which 
way  I  had  gone,'  he  writes,  '  the  Trees  upon  the 
High-ways  wearing  my  Livery,  One  man  hang'd 
terrified  more  than  an  hundred  that  were  killed.' 
When  he  appeared  before  Agen,  so  great  was 
the  terror  of  his  name,  that  he  '  wondered  the 
people  should  be  so  damnably  timorous  and  did  not 


INTRODUCTION  21 

better  defend  their  religion,'  for  they  *  no  sooner 
heard  my  name  but  they  fancied  the  rope  about 
their  necks.' 

In  such  warfare,  quarter  was  not  to  be  expected, 
and  Monluc  speaks  with  regret  whenever  his 
prisoners  had  to  be  ransomed.  '  We  were  so 
few  that  we  were  not  enough  to  kill  them  all,' 
he  records.  '  Had  the  King  paid  his  Companies 
I  should  not  have  sufFer'd  ransom  to  have  been  in 
use  in  this  quarrel.'  At  the  taking  of  Montsegur, 
*the  slaughter  continued  till  ten  of  the  clock 
or  after,  because  they  were  fain  to  ferret  them 
out  of  the  houses,  and  there  was  not  above  fifteen 
or  twenty  taken  prisoners,  whom  we  presently 
hung  up,  and  amongst  the  rest  all  the  King's 
Officers,  and  the  Consuls,  with  their  hoods  about 
their  necks.  There  was  no  talking  of  Ransoms 
unless  for  the  Hangmen.' 

It  would,  however,  be  doing  Monluc  an  in- 
justice not  to  insist  upon  the  facts  that 
extenuate,  though  they  are  far  from  justifying, 
the  policy  that  led  to  this  deluge  of  blood.  In  the 
first  place  it  was  largely  a  reprisal,  for  the  excesses 
of  the  Protestants  were  at  least  as  terrible  as 
those  of  their  opponents.  They  pillaged  churches, 
desecrated  tombs,  levied  taxes  on  all  classes  to 
pay  for  their  troops,  and  altogether  acted  with 
an  effrontery  that  naturally  drove  the  Catholics 
into  extremes.  Moreover,  they  were  continually 
in  communication  with  foreign  powers,  and  the 
rebellion  seemed  to  men  like  Monluc  a  blow 
at   the   vitals  of  France.     '  It   is   not  in  this  case 


22  INTRODUCTION 

as  in  a  foreign  War,'  he  comments  'where  men 
fight  for  love  and  honor ;  but  in  a  Civil  War 
we  must  either  be  master  or  man,  being  we 
live  as  it  were  all  under  a  roof;  and  that's 
the  reason  why  we  must  proceed  with  rigour  and 
cruelty,  otherwise  the  temptation  of  gain  is  such 
that  men  would  rather  desire  the  continuation  than 
the  end  of  the  War.' 

To  this  must  be  added  the  fact  that  Monluc's 
reputation  for  severity  rests  largely  on  his  own 
testimony.  He  boasted  that  he  was  cruel,  and  the 
world  has  accepted  his  statement.  Yet,  apart  from 
the  conditions  of  civil  warfare  just  mentioned, 
we  shall  not  be  far  wrong  in  assigning  some  of  the 
darkest  shadows  in  the  picture  to  the  wealth  of  his 
Gascon  imagination.  We  are  not  justified  in  hold- 
ing him  responsible  for  the  excesses  of  the  ferocious 
troops  he  commanded,  any  more  than  we  can 
blame  Coligny  for  those  of  his  reiters  in  Agenais, 
though  these  latter  are  attested  by  the  most 
authentic  documents.  Monluc  carried  on  war  in  a 
barbarous  fashion,  but  he  was  constrained  to 
do  this,  partly  by  the  character  of  the  men  he 
had  to  lead,  and  partly  by  that  scourge  of  the 
mercenary  armies  of  the  sixteenth  century,  the 
necessity  of  allowing  them  to  subsist  on  the  enemy 
and  take  their  pay  in  pillage.  Terrible  as  Monluc 
was,  he  was  outspoken  in  his  condemnation  of  the 
conduct  of  the  Spanish  troops  who  were  sent  by 
Philip  II  to  join  him  before  Agen. 

If  we  turn  away  from  the  moral  side  of  the 
religious   wars,    and    regard    Monluc    solely    as    a 


INTRODUCTION  23 

military  commander,  the  closing  years  of  his  life 
brought  him  nothing  but  additional  reputation. 
The  importance  of  his  services  to  the  Catholic  cause 
cannot  be  easily  over-estimated.  He  was  every- 
where at  once,  keeping  the  enemy  continually 
on  the  watch,  harassing  them  from  the  most 
unexpected  directions,  and  carrying  on  a  corre- 
spondence of  letters  and  messages  with  nearly 
every  general  in  the  field.  His  troops  were  ill-paid 
and  few  in  number,  but  he  handled  them  with 
consummate  mastery  and  again  and  again  brought 
them  to  the  strategical  position  in  the  nick  of 
time.  His  achievements  have  won  for  him  the 
title  of  'the  true  creator  of  the  French  infantry,' 
and  his  conduct  of  operations  in  the  South  before 
Bordeaux  and  Toulouse,  and  in  Guyenne,  justify 
his  claim  to  that  honor.  He  was,  besides,  the 
life  and  soul  of  the  various  Catholic  leagues  and 
combinations,  showing  a  politic  wisdom  and  fore- 
sight hardly  to  be  looked  for  in  a  man  of  his 
impetuous  temperament.  The  end  of  his  active 
career  came  when  at  the  siege  of  the  little  fortified 
town  of  Rabastens,  '  a  Harquebuze-shot  clapt  into 
his  face,'  so  that  his  whole  countenance  was 
smashed  in,  and  the  cheek  bones  had  to  be  taken 
out  in  splinters. 

Thus,  the  hour  of  retreat  having  sounded,  the 
old  war-dog  retired  to  Gascony,  where,  with  his  face 
covered  by  a  mask  that  made  his  appearance  still 
more  formidable,  he  spent  his  time  riding  over 
his  estates,  distributing  justice  among  his  tenants, 
dictating  his  memoirs  from  time  to  time,  '  crucified 


24  INTRODUCTION 

with  the  Cholick,'  and  growling  against  a  govern- 
ment that  failed  to  give  their  deserts  to  its  best 
servants.  But  a  final  triumph  was  reserved  for 
him.  In  1573  he  was  summoned  to  the  Catholic 
camp  before  Rochelle,  where  he  had  the  honour 
of  leading  the  grand  assault,  though  the  siege  failed 
because  the  veteran's  advice  was  not  followed. 
Shortly  afterwards  he  was  present  at  Lyons  at  the 
entry  of  Henry  III,  the  new  King  of  France  who, 
while  Duke  of  Anjou,  had  known  some  of  Monluc's 
services. 

'Now  his  Majesty  calling  to  mind  the  services  I 
had  done  for  the  Kings  his  Grandfather,  Father,  and 
Brother  ;  some  of  which  he  had  heard  of,  and  others 
had  himself  also  seen,  he  was  resolved  to  honor  me 
with  the  estate  of  Mareschal  of  France,  and  to  make  me 
rich  in  honor,  since  he  could  not  do  It  in  matter  of 
wealth  and  estate.  Having  therefore  caus'd  me  to  be 
call'd  for,  and  being  come,  to  kneel  down  before  him, 
after  I  had  taken  the  Oath,  he  put  the  Mareschal's  StafFe 
into  my  hand  :  Which  having  done,  in  returning  my 
most  humble  thanks,  I  told  him,  "  That  I  had  no  other 
grief  in  this  world,  but  that  I  had  not  ten  good  years 
in  my  belly,  wherein  to  manifest  how  much  I  desir'd 
to  be  serviceable  to  his  Majesty  and  Crown  in  that 
honorable  Command."  Having  received  his  Commands, 
and  those  of  the  Queen,  I  returned  into  Gascony  to 
make  preparation  for  war,  for  all  things  tended  that 
way  :  but  I  very  well  perceiv'd  by  the  tediousness  of  my 
Journey,  that  I  was  rather  to  think  of  dying  myself,  than 
of  killing  others.' 

He  made  one  more  brief  expedition  against  the 
Huguenots,   and,    returning  home,  thought   for    a 


INTRODUCTION  25 

time  of  ending  his  days  in  a  monastery.  But  he 
had  not  yet  renounced  all  warlike  projects,  for  his 
Commentaires  end  with  the  words,  Mf  God  lend 
me  life  I  know  not  yet  what  I  shall  do.' 

He  died  on  the  26th  of  February  1577  at  his 
Chdteau  of  Estillac,  and  was  buried  in  the  choir 
of  the  Cathedral  of  Condom. 

The  chief  merit  of  Monluc's  Commentaires  is 
that  they  are  a  record  of  action  written  by  a  man 
of  action.  This  type  of  book  will  always  have  a 
special  fascination  for  many  readers,  and  to  these  the 
Commentaires  can  be  warmly  commended.  Their 
author  composed  them  with  the  two-fold  object 
of  doing  credit  to  the  house  of  Monluc,  and  of 
giving  advice  to  others  who  wished  to  emulate  his 
example.  From  this  latter  point  of  view,  the  book 
is  full  of  the  wisest  practical  advice,  and  there  are 
few  soldiers  and  few  men  in  any  capacity 
whose  duty  it  is  to  hearten  and  encourage  others 
who  would  not  benefit  by  Monluc's  counsels.  But 
the  Commentaires  are  above  all  else  an  auto- 
biography, written,  or  rather  dictated,  long  after 
most  of  the  events  it  narrates.  Monluc  is  often 
prolix  over  episodes  personal  to  himself,  and  with 
an  old  man's  love  of  detail  he  sets  down  every 
incident  he  remembers.  Indeed  this  constitutes 
one  of  his  charms,  for  out  of  all  the  digressions  and 
repetitions  there  rises  in  the  mind  an  unforgettable 
picture  of  the  man,  with  all  his  qualities  and  defects 
clearly  outlined.  And  if  they  lose  something  by 
lack  of  method  and  arrangement,  they  have  the 
compensation  of  being  perfectly  natural  and  spon- 


26  INTRODUCTION 

taneous.  He  wrote  as  a  man  speaks  who  is  relating 
his  experiences  to  his  friends,  and  the  conversational 
turn  of  his  sentences  adds  to  the  vividness  of  his 
narration.  He  had  some  hope  that  the  Com- 
mentaires  would  be  read  when  he  was  dead  and 
gone,  and  he  warns  his  readers  what  to  expect  from 
them.  'I  must  entreat  all  those  who  shall  read 
them,'  he  says,  'not  to  look  upon  them  as  pro- 
ceeding from  the  Pen  of  an  Historian,  but  of  an 
old  Soldier  and  a  Gascon,  who  has  writ  his 
own  life  truly,  and  in  the  rough  style  of  a  Soldier.' 
This  rough  style  of  a  soldier,  so  singularly  fitted  to 
its  purpose,  has  been  the  envy  of  several  men  of 
letters  who  have  written  about  Monluc.  '  It  is  the 
style  of  a  man  who  has  had  little  or  no  intercourse 
with  books,  but  who  has  a  natural  gift  for  clear 
and  expressive  speech.  His  thoughts  shape  them- 
selves in  language  without  any  effort.  Those  who 
hold  the  view  that  the  language  of  literature  should  be 
widely  differentiated  from  that  of  speech  had  better 
read  Monluc,  and  then  reconsider  their  position.'  * 

A  few  words  remain  to  be  said  about  the  trans- 
lator. Charles  Cotton,  whose  memory  is  grateful  to 
all  anglers  through  his  association  with  Izaak  Walton, 
was  a  man  of  varied  accomplishments,  a  brilliant 
writer,  a  wit,  a  poet,  and  an  authority  on  games 
of  cards.  His  reputation  as  a  translator  rests  upon 
his  version  of  Montaigne,  a  sound  and  scholarly 
piece  of  work,  published  eleven  years  later  than 
his  translation  of  Monluc.      Had    he   had   greater 

*  Arthur  Tilley  :  The  Literature  of  the  French  Renaiss- 
ance, Vol  II,  p.  206. 


INTRODUCTION  27 

prudence,  he  might  have  played  a  distinguished 
part  in  his  age,  but  money  slipped  through  his 
fingers,  and  he  was  often  hard  driven  to  eke  out 
a  living.  In  his  preface  to  the  translation  of  the 
Commentaires,  he  tells  the  reader  his  reasons  for 
publishing  that  w^ork.  '  A  man,'  he  begins,  '  that 
has  had  no  better  luck  in  Printing  Books  than  I, 
and  received  from  the  world  so  little  thanks  for  his 
labour,  should,  one  would  have  thought,  have 
taken  some  reasonable  warning,  and  in  some 
moderate  time  have  given  over  scribbling,  but  not- 
withstanding these  discouragements,  I  have  hither- 
to, and  do  yet  continue  incorrigible,  .  .  .  and 
seeing  I  acknowledge  this  to  be  a  fault,  and  that 
every  fault  requires  some  excuse,  I  think  fit  to 
give  the  reader  some  account  why  I  still  persist 
so  obstinate  to  pester  the  world  with  my  writings.' 
He  justifies  his  undertaking  on  the  ground 
that  the  work  he  presents  to  English  readers, 
*  has  been  allowed  by  all  to  be  the  best 
Soldier's  Book,  that  is  the  best  book  for  the 
instruction  of  a  Soldier,  that  ever  was  writ,'  and 
that  such  as  cannot  read  Monluc  in  his  own 
lano-uao-e  'are  better  with  an  ill  Translation  than 
none  at  all.'  The  extracts  in  the  present  little 
book  provide  the  reader  with  some  material  for 
judging  of  Cotton's  estimate  of  his  author.  But 
the  task  of  selection  is  always  difficult,  for  though, 
like  the  pious  Cottar,  the  editor  '  wales  a  portion 
with  judicious  care,'  he  will  nearly  always  chafe 
against  the  limitations  of  space,  and  regret  that 
some   favourite  passage   must   be    excluded.     The 


28  INTRODUCTION 

present  writer  hopes  at  some  future  date  to  reprint 
Cotton's  translation  of  Monluc  in  its  entirety 
and  thus  make  accessible  a  book  which  he 
believes  merits  the  highest  encomiums  it  has 
received. 


APPRECUTIONS   AND   TESTI- 
MONIES 

'The  Commentaires  are  conspicuous  for  the  veracity 
and  candour  of  the  narrative.  Monluc  does  not  seek  to 
deceive  the  reader,  and  when  he  is  ignorant  of  a  fact,  or 
but  partially  acquainted  with  it,  he  naively  admits  this. 
He  conceals  nothing,  because  he  believes  that  there  is 
nothing  about  which  he  need  be  silent  ;  his  least  praise- 
worthy actions  are  inspired  by  a  respect  for  the  royal 
authority,  which  he  carries  to  the  length  of  fanaticism. 
A  profound  feeling  of  loyalty  breathes  in  these  pages, 
which,  though  often  incorrect,  are  inspired  by  an 
heroic  spirit,  Monluc,  unlettered,  and  having  but 
a  superficial  acquaintance  with  those  ancient  authors 
whom  he  caused  to  be  read  to  him  in  translations, 
succeeds  in  placing  himself  in  the  front  rank  of 
sixteenth-century  writers,  because  his  artless  and  un- 
studied style  is  the  expression  of  a  sturdy  soul  and 
a  valiant  heart.'  Darmesteter  and  Hatzfeld  :  Le 
Seiziime  Stick  en  France. 

'  There  are  some  temperaments  born  for  warfare  ; 
they  show  it  by  the  instinct  which  drives  them  into 
dangers,  by  the  resources  of  genius  which  they  find  and 
the  unexpected  talents  they  display  when  they  are  in 
them,  as  well  as  by  the  growing  ardour  that  urges  them 
onwards ;  they  show  it  also,  during  and  after  action, 
by  speech  and  expression.  Such  was  Montluc.  What  a 
pity    he  did    not   join  to    his  other  brilliant  qualities 


30  APPRECIATIONS 

those  which  make  the  humane,  that  is  to  say  the 
perfect,  warrior — that  moderation,  that  justice  after 
the  combat,  those  civilised  virtues  which  adorn  for 
ever  the  name  of  a  Xenophon  or  a  Desaix  !  Montluc, 
so  long  as  he  has  to  fight  external  enemies  only,  is 
merely  harsh  ;  but  civil  wars  set  him  on  fire,  and  he 
becomes  cruel.  It  would  be  to  his  credit  were  the  last 
twelve  years  of  his  active  life  obliterated.  Such  as  he  is, 
however,  he  interests  and  engages  us  deeply  by  his 
recitals,  even  when  we  know  that  he  is  of  a  nature  more 
inclined  to  exaggerate  than  to  forget  his  own  exploits. 
Whether  it  be  by  ingenuousness  or  artifice  (for  he  is  very 
shrewd)  he  finds  means  of  convincing  us  both  of 
his  veracity  and  his  braggadocio  ;  the  pride  of  his  style 
reflects  well  that  of  his  courage  and  of  his  character  ;  it 
IS  not  given  to  everybody  to  be  a  Catinat.  Morever, 
these  uncommunicative  virtues,  which  smack  of  the 
philosopher,  are  not  those  that  attain  the  end  in  view. 
Men  demand  symbols  in  accord  with  things,  and  there 
is  a  military  eloquence  suited  to  military  fame.  What 
is  certain  is  that  in  reading  the  Commentaires  of  Montluc, 
he  lives  again  for  us  in  his  entirety.  "  It  was  fine  to  hear 
him  speak  and  discourse  on  war  and  arms,"  said  Brantome 
who  had  heard  him,  and  we,  his  readers,  can  say  the  same 
today.'    Sainte-Beuve:     Causeries  duLundi.    Tomeii. 

'  Monluc  has  two  qualities  which  carry  life  with 
them  :  passion  and  faith.  He  is  a  fanatic  for  his  trade, 
and  he  believes  in  the  army  as  he  does  in  himself.  Such 
as  he  was  and  lived  he  paints  himself  in  his  book. 
His  style  is  as  unequal  as  his  character  :  sometimes  preten- 
tious, sometimes  vulgar,  never  common-place.  Altogether 
his  work  is  vigorous  and  instructive,  of  a  good  example  for 
generations  to  come,  and  by  it  the  name  of  Monluc  deserves 
not  to  perish  from  letters.    May  our  country  long  possess 


APPRECIATIONS  31 

men  of  the  sword  able  to  write  and  writers  able  to  act  like 
Monluc  ! '     Ch.  Normand  :  Les  Memorialistes  :  Monluc. 

*  If  Monluc  relates  the  story  of  his  life,  it  is  because 
he  believes  the  recital  useful  to  others.  He  bequeaths 
it  as  instruction  to  the  captains  who  will  come  after 
him  :  "  The  captains  who  shall  take  the  pains  to  read 
my  Life  will  therein  meet  with  passages  that  may  be 
useful  to  them.  .  .  To  you  therefore  (Captains  my 
Companions)  it  is  that  this  Treatise  does  principally 
address  itself,  to  whom  peradventure  it  may  in  some 
measure  be  useful."  While  he  dictates,  he  has  constantly 
before  his  eyes  this  circle  of  imaginary  disciples,  attentive 
to  his  words  and  to  his  gestures,  he  sees  them,  he 
follows  on  their  countenances  the  emotion  of  his 
own  recital,  he  animates  himself  by  contact  with  them. 
Coming  from  a  man  whose  modesty  was  not  over- 
whelming, the  narrative  cannot  fail  to  be  an  advocate's  plea, 
but  as  the  subject  is  a  fine  one  and  the  advocate  profoundly 
convinced,  the  plea  naturally  reaches  the  level  of  eloquence. 

*  This  is  indeed  the  special  characteristics  of  the  Comtnen- 
taires ;  a  large  oratorical  current  traverses  and  animates 
them.  They  are  full  of  life,  with  its  movement,  its 
alternations  of  the  commonplace  and  the  picturesque,  its 
vistas  of  greatness.  As  it  happened  to  Monluc  twice  in  his 
life  to  play  a  considerable  part — in  the  King's  Council  before 
Cerisolesandat  the  siege  of  Siena — the  story  of  these  events 
takes  a  surprising  amplitude  and  relief  in  the  Commentaires. 

'  The  counsels  to  captains  on  the  defence  of  places  are 
among  the  most  eloquent  pages  that  the  sixteenth  century 
has  left  us.  The  depth  and  sincerity  of  their  tone 
have  prevented  them  from  growing  out  of  date.  Monluc 
has  spoken  the  truth  :  his  existence  thus  presented,  can 
still  be  of  service  to  future  ages.'  M.  J.  de  Crozals  in 
Petit  de  JuUeville's  Histoire  de  la  Iitteraturejran(aise. 


32  APPRECIATIONS 

'  We  have  the  Memoirs  of  Monluc,  called  Commen- 
iaires,  "  the  soldier's  breviary  "  as  Henry  IV  said,  glowing, 
picturesque,  strong  and  sparkling,  showing  with  a  terrible 
candour  the  bloody  life  of  a  fierce  partisan.'  E. 
Faguet  :  Histoire  de  la  litterature  fratifaise. 

*  But  Monluc  has  done  more  and  better  than  to 
write  a  book  of  technical  instruction,  more  and  better 
also  than  to  produce  an  historical  document.  In  speak- 
ing of  himself,  this  Gascon  paints  man  for  us  like 
Montaigne,  another  Gascon  ;  with  all  the  difference  that 
must  separate  an  erudite  magistrate  from  a  rough 
adventurer,  there  is  between  them  some  relationship 
of  imagination  and  style.  Unequal,  prolix,  even  pre- 
tentious when  he  wishes  to  rise  to  eloquence,  Monluc 
is  as  a  rule,  natural,  original,  picturesque,  with  an  abund- 
ance of  particular  details  that  make  us  see  the  things, 
and  a  wealth  of  vivacious  sallies  and  freshly  minted  ex- 
pressions that  make  us  see  the  man.  And  this  old 
captain  has  so  great  a  fund  of  native  shrewdness,  so 
much  accumulated  experience,  he  has  for  sixty  years 
done  so  much  to  bring  to  light  the  very  souls  of  his 
troopers,  to  seize  upon  the  characteristic  dispositions  of 
his  superiors,  that  in  relating  his  life  he  pierces  without 
suspecting  it  beneath  the  superficial  level  of  historical 
facts  ;  he  plunges  each  moment  to  the  depths  of  con- 
sciences, discloses  them  by  their  acts,  gestures,  and 
words  ;  and  at  the  same  time  he  discloses  to  us  himself 
to  the  very  marrow  of  his  inmost  being.  And  he  does 
all  this  without  "  psychology,"  without  "  analysis  "  :  such 
words  would  be  ludicrous.  But  I  mean  to  say  that  he 
renders  life,  and  that  we  do  not  see  a  mere  chain  of 
external  facts,  he  shows  us  besides  these  the  moral 
realities  that  support  the  facts.'  G.  Lanson  :  Histoire 
de  ia  liiierature  fran(aise. 


BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 


The  Author's  Reasons  for  Writing 

Being  at  the  Age  of  threescore  and  fifteen 
retir'd  home  to  my  own  House,  there  to 
seek  some  little  Repose  after  the  infinite 
Pains  and  Labours  I  had  undergone  during 
the  space  of  above  fifty  years  that  I  bore 
Arms  for  the  several  Kings  my  Masters,  in 
which  Service  I  past  all  the  Degrees  and 
through  all  the  Orders  of  Soldier,  Ensign, 
Lieutenant,  Captain,  Camp-Master,  Governor 
of  Places,  his  Majesties  Lieutenant  in  the 
Provinces  of  Tuscany  and  Guienne,  and 
Mareschal  of  France  :  finding  my  self 
maimed  in  almost  all  my  Limbs,  with 
Harquebuz-Shots,  Cuts  and  Thrusts  with 
Pikes  and  Swords,  and  by  that  means 
rendered  almost  useless  and  good  for  nothing, 
without  strength  or  hope  ever  to  be  cured  of 
that  great  Harquebuz-Shot  in  my  Face,  and 
after  having  resign'd  my  Government  of 
Guienne  into  his  Majesties  hands  :   I  thought 

C  33 


34  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

fit  to  employ  the  Remainder  of  my  Life  in  a 
Description  of  the  several  Combats  wherein 
I  have  been  personally  engag'd  in  the  space 
of  two  and  fifty  years  that  I  had  the  Honour 
to  command  :  assuring  my  self  that  the 
Captains  who  shall  take  the  pains  to  read  my 
Life  will  therein  meet  with  Passages  that 
may  be  useful  to  them  in  the  like  Occasions, 
and  of  which  some  Advantage  may  be  made 
to  the  acquiring  of  Honour  and  Renown. 
And  although  1  have  in  the  several  Engage- 
ments I  have  undertaken  (and  some  of  them 
perhaps  without  great  Reason  on  my  side  to 
justifie  my  proceedings)  been  exceedingly 
fortunate,  and  successful  beyond  all  humane 
Aim  ;  I  would  not  yet  any  one  should 
conceive  that  1  attribute  the  Success  or  the 
Glory  thereof  to  any  other  than  to  God 
alone ;  and  indeed  whoever  shall  consider 
the  Dangers  and  Difficulties  I  have  gone 
through  and  overcome  cannot  but  therein 
acknowledge  his  Almighty  and  immediate 
Arm.  Neither  have  I  ever  fail'd  to  implore 
his  Assistance  in  all  my  Undertakings,  and 
that  with  great  Confidence  in  his  Grace  and 
Mercy,  and  Assurance  of  it  ;  wherein  his 
Divine  Majesty  has  been  pleased  so  far  to  be 
gratiously  assisting  to  me,  that  I  have  never 
been  defeated  nor  surpriz'd  in  any  Exploit  of 


REASONS   FOR   WRITING       35 

War,  where  I  have  been  in  command  ;  but 
on  the  contrary  have  ever  carried  away 
Victory  and  Honour.  And  it  is  very 
necessary  and  fit  that  all  we  who  bear  Arms 
should  ever  consider  and  always  confess  that 
we,  of  our  selves,  can  do  nothing  without  his 
Divine  Bounty,  which  inspires  us  with 
Courage,  and  supplies  us  with  Strength  to 
attempt  and  execute  those  great  and  hazardous 
Enterprises  which  present  themselves  to  our 
Undertaking. 

And  because  some  of  those  who  shall  read 
these  Commentaries  (for  it  will  be  very  hard 
to  please  all,  though  some  will  set  a  just 
value  upon  my  Book)  may  perhaps  think  it 
strange,  and  accuse  me  of  Vain-Glory  for 
writing  my  own  Actions  ;  and  say  that  I 
ought  in  Modesty  to  have  transferred  that 
Work  to  another  Hand  :  I  shall  tell  such 
once  for  all,  that  in  writing  the  Truth,  and 
attributing  to  God  the  Glory  thereof,  there 
will  be  no  harm  done  :  Neither  (besides  that 
the  Testimonies  of  several  Men  of  Honour 
yet  living  will  justifie  the  Truth  of  what  I 
shall  deliver)  can  any  one  give  a  better 
Account  of  the  Designs,  Enterprizes,  and 
Executions,  and  the  Actions  happening 
thereupon  then  my  self,  who  was  an  Eye- 
witness and  an  Actor  in  them  all  ;  and  who 


36  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

also  design  not  herein  to  deprive  any  one  of 
his  due  and  particular  Honour.  The  greatest 
Captain  that  ever  lived  was  Caesar,  and  he 
has  led  me  the  way,  having  himself  writ  his 
own  Commentaries,  and  being  careful  to 
record  by  Night  the  Actions  he  perform'd 
by  Day.  I  would  therefore  by  his  Exemple 
contrive  mine,  how  rude  and  impolisht 
soever  (as  coming  from  the  hand  of  a 
Soldier,  and  moreover  a  Gascon,  who  has 
ever  been  more  solicitous  to  do,  than  to 
write  or  to  speak  well).  Wherein  shall  be 
comprehended  all  the  Exploits  of  War  in 
which  I  have  either  been  personally  engaged, 
or  that  have  been  performed  by  my  Direc- 
tion ;  and  these  beginning  from  my  greener 
years,  when  1  first  came  into  the  World,  to 
signifie  to  such  as  I  shall  leave  behind  me 
how  restless  I  (who  am  at  this  day  the  oldest 
Captain  in  France)  have  ever  been  in  the 
Search  and  Acquisition  of  Honour,  in  per- 
forming Services  for  the  Kings  my  Masters, 
which  was  my  sole  and  only  end,  ever 
flying  all  the  Pleasures  and  Delights  which 
usually  divert  young  men  whom  God  has 
endowed  with  any  commendable  Qualities, 
and  who  are  upon  the  point  of  their  Advance- 
ment, from  the  Paths  of  true  Virtue  and 
undisputed  Greatness.     A  Book  not  intended 


REASONS   FOR  WRITING      37 

however  for  the  Learned  Men  of  the  World, 
they  have  Historians  enough  of  their  own, 
but  for  a  Soldier,  and  wherein  a  Captain,  and 
perhaps  a  Lieutenant  of  a  Province  may  find 
something  that  may  be  worth  his  Observation. 
At  the  least  I  can  affirm  that  I  have  written 
the  Truth  ;  having  my  Memory  as  good  and 
entire  at  this  instant  as  ever,  and  being  as 
perfect  in  the  Names  both  of  Men  and 
Places,  as  if  all  things  had  past  but  yester- 
day, and  yet  I  never  committed  any  thing  to 
Paper,  for  I  never  thought  at  such  an  Age 
as  this  to  undertake  any  thing  of  this  kind  : 
which  whether  I  have  well  or  ill  performed, 
I  refer  my  self  to  such  as  shall  do  me  the 
Honour  to  read  my  Book,  which  is  properly 
an  Account  of  my  own  Life. 

To  you,  therefore  (Captains  my  Com- 
panions) it  is  that  this  Treatise  does 
principally  address  itself,  to  whom  perad- 
venture  it  may  in  some  measure  be  useful. 
And  you  ought  to  believe  that  having  so 
many  years  been  in  the  same  Command 
wherein  you  now  are,  and  having  so  long 
discharg'd  the  Office  of  a  Captain  of  Foot, 
and  thrice  that  of  a  Camp  Master  and 
Colonel,  I  must  needs  have  retein'd  some- 
thing of  that  Condition,  and  that  in  a  long 
Experience  I  have  seen  great  Honours  con- 


38  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

fer'd  upon  some,  and  great  Disgraces  befal 
others  of  that  Degree.  There  have  been 
some  who  in  my  time  have  been  cashier'd 
and  degraded  their  Nobility,  others  who 
have  lost  their  Lives  upon  a  Scaffold,  others 
dishonoured  and  dismist  to  their  own 
Houses  without  ever  having  been  more 
regarded  either  by  the  King  or  any  other  : 
And  on  the  contrary,  I  have  seen  others  who 
have  trail'd  a  Pike  at  six  Francs  pay  arrive 
at  great  Preferments,  performing  things  so 
brave,  and  manifesting  themselves  men  of  so 
great  Capacity,  that  several  who  in  their 
Original  have  been  no  better  than  the  Sons 
of  poor  labouring  Men,  have  rais'd  them- 
selves above  many  of  the  Nobility  by  their 
Prowess  and  Virtue.  Of  all  which  having  my 
self  been  an  Eye- Witness,  I  am  able  to  give 
a  precise  and  a  true  Account.  And  although 
I  myself  am  a  Gentleman  by  Birth,  yet  have 
I  notwithstanding  been  rais'd  to  that  degree 
of  Honour  wherein  I  now  stand,  as  leisurely 
and  as  much  step  by  step  as  any  the  poorest 
Soldier  who  has  serv'd  in  this  Kingdom  these 
many  years.  For  being  born  into  the 
World  the  Son  of  a  Gentleman,  whose 
Father  had  made  sale  of  all  his  Estate,  to 
only  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand  Livres 
yearly  Revenue,  and  being  the  eldest  of  six 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  39 

Brothers  that  we  were,  I  thought  it  princi- 
pally concern'd  me  to  illustrate  the  Name  of 
Montluc  (which  is  that  of  our  Family)  as  I 
have  also  done  with  as  much  Peril  and  as 
many  Hazards  of  my  Life  as  Soldier  or 
Captain  ever  did  ;  and  that  without  ever 
having  the  least  Reproach  from  those  by 
whom  I  was  commanded  ;  but  on  the  contrary 
with  as  much  Favour  and  Esteem  as  ever 
any  Captain  had  who  bore  Arms  in  the 
Armies  wherein  I  had  the  Honour  to  serve. 
Insomuch  that  whenever  there  happen'd  any 
Enterprise  of  Importance  or  Danger,  the 
Kings  Lieutenants  and  Collonels  would  as 
soon  or  sooner  put  me  upon  it  as  any  other 
Captain  of  the  Army  ;  of  which  the  ensuing 
pages  will  give  you  sufficient  Testimony. 

The  Action  at  St  Jean  de  Luz 

Having  in  my  greener  years  been  bred  up 
in  the  Family  of  Anthony  Duke  of  Lorain, 
and  now  grown  up  towards  a  Man,  I  was 
presently  preferred  to  an  Archer's  Place  in 
the  Dukes  own  Company,  Monsieur 
Bayard  being  at  that  time  Lieutenant  to  the 
same.  Not  long  after  being  enflam'd  with 
the  Report  of  the  noble  Feats  of  Arms  every 
day  perform'd  in  Italy,  which  in  those  days 


40  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

was  the  Scene  of  Action,  I  was  possess'd 
with  a  longing  desire  to  visit  that  Country. 
To  this  end  making  a  Journey  into  Gascony, 
I  make  shift  to  procure  of  my  Father  a  little 
Money  and  a  Spanish  Horse,  and  without 
further  delay  began  my  Journey  in  order  to 
my  Design,  leaving  to  Fortune  the  hopes  of 
my  future  Advancement  and  Honour. 
About  a  days  Journey  from  my  Fathers 
house,  and  near  unto  Leitoure,  I  turn'd  a 
little  out  of  my  way  to  visit  the  Sieur  de 
Castelnau,  an  antient  Gentleman  who  had 
long  frequented  Italy,  of  him  to  inform  my 
self  at  large  of  the  State,  Condition,  Manners, 
and  Customs  of  that  Country  in  order  to  my 
future  Conduct.  This  Gentleman  told  me 
so  many  things,  and  related  to  me  so  many 
brave  Exploits  which  were  there  every  day 
perform'd,  that  without  longer  abode,  or 
staying  any  where  longer  than  to  refresh  my 
self  and  my  Horse,  I  past  over  the  Alpes, 
and  took  my  way  directly  to  Milan.  Being 
come  to  Milan,  1  there  found  two  Uncles  of 
mine  by  my  Mothers  side,  call'd  the  Stillatts, 
both  of  them  men  of  great  Reputation  and 
Esteem,  of  which  the  one  serv'd  under 
Monsieur  de  Lescut,  Brother  to  Monsieur 
de  Lautrec  (the  same  who  was  afterwards 
Mareschal  of  France,  and  then   known  by 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  41 

the  Name  of  the  Mareschal  de  Foix,  by 
whom  I  was  presently  put  into  an  Archers 
place  in  his  own  Company,  a  Place  of  great 
Repute  in  those  days,  there  being  in  those 
times  several  Lords  and  great  Persons  who 
rode  in  Troops,  and  two  or  three  who  were 
Archers  in  this  ;  but  since  that  Discipline  is 
lost  and  grown  degenerate,  and  all  things  are 
turn'd  upside  down,  without  hopes  that  any 
man  now  alive  shall  ever  see  them  restor'd 
to  their  former  Estate. 

At  this  time  the  War  betwixt  Francis  the 
First  and  the  Emperor  Charles  the  Fifth 
broke  out  again  with  greater  Fury  than 
before,  the  later  to  drive  us  out  of  Italy,  and 
we  to  maintain  our  Footing  there,  though  it 
was  only  to  make  it  a  place  of  Sepulture  to  a 
world  of  brave  and  valiant  French.  God 
Almighty  rais'd  up  these  two  Great  Princes 
sworn  Enemies  to  one  another,  and  emulous 
of  one  anothers  Greatness  ;  an  Emulation 
that  has  cost  the  Lives  of  two  hundred 
thousand  Persons,  and  brought  a  million  of 
Families  to  utter  Ruin  ;  when  after  all 
neither  the  one  nor  the  other  obtain'd  any 
other  advantage  by  the  Dispute,  than  the  bare 
Repentance  of  having  been  the  causes  of  so 
many  Miseries,  and  of  the  Effusion  of  so 
much  Christian  Blood.     If  God  had  pleas'd 


42  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

that  these  two  Monarchs  might  have 
understood  one  another,  the  whole  Earth 
had  trembled  under  their  Arms  ;  and 
Solyman  who  was  contemporary  with  them, 
and  who  during  their  Contests  enlarg'd  his 
Empire  on  every  side,  would  have  had 
enough  to  do  to  defend  his  own.  The 
Emperour  was,  'tis  true,  a  great  and  a 
magnanimous  Prince,  yet  in  nothing  superiour 
to  our  Master,  during  his  Life,  saving  in  a 
little  better  Success,  and  in  that  God  gave 
him  the  Grace  to  bewail  his  Sins  in  a 
Convent,  into  which  he  retir'd  himself  two  or 
three  years  before  his  Death.  During  the 
space  of  two  and  twenty  months  that  this 
War  continued,  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  be 
an  Eye-witness  of  several  very  brave  Actions, 
which  were  very  fit  to  season  a  raw  Soldier  ; 
neither  did  I  fail  continually  to  present  my 
self  in  all  places  and  upon  all  occasions 
where  1  thought  Honour  was  to  be 
purchas'd  at  what  price  soever  ;  and  it  is  to 
be  imagin'd  I  had  my  share  of  fighting,  when 
I  had  no  less  than  five  horses  kill'd  under  me 
in  the  short  continuance  of  that  Service,  and 
of  those  two  in  two  days,  which  Monsieur  de 
Roquelaure,  who  was  Cosen  Germain  to  my 
Mother,  was  pleased  to  give  me.  For  in 
this  beginning  of  my  armes   I  had   the  good 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  43 

fortune  to  gain  so  far  upon  the  affections  of 
the  whole  Company,  that  my  horses  being 
lost,  every  one  was  willing  to  help  to  remount 
me,  and  being  moreover  taken  prisoner  in 
Battel,  I  was  soon  after  delivered  by  the  pro- 
curement of  my  friends. 

Let  such  therefore  as  intend  to  acquire 
honour  by  feats  of  Arms  resolve  to  shut 
their  eyes  to  all  hazards  and  dangers  what- 
ever in  the  first  encounter  where  they  shall 
happen  to  be  present,  for  that's  the  time 
when  every  one  has  his  eyes  fix'd  upon  them, 
to  observe  their  behaviour,  and  thence  to 
form  a  judgment  of  their  future  hopes.  If 
in  the  beginning  they  shall,  by  any  handsom 
action,  signalize  their  courage  and  boldness, 
it  sets  a  good  mark  upon  them  for  ever,  and 
not  only  makes  them  noted  and  regarded  by 
all  but  moreover  inspires  them  themselves 
with  mettle  and  vigour  to  perform  more 
and  greater  things.  Now  you  must  know  that 
in  this  War  we  lost  the  Dutchy  of  Millan. 
Of  which  (though  I  do  not  pretend  to  beany 
great  Clerk)  I  could  write  the  true  History, 
and  should  his  Majesty  command  me,  I 
would  deliver  the  truth,  and  I  am  able  to  give 
as  good  an  account  (though  I  was  my  self 
very  young  at  that  time)  as  any  man  what- 
ever in  France,   I  mean  of  those  passages 


44  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

where  I  had  the  fortune  to  be  present,  and  no 
other  ;  for  I  will  write  nothing  by  hearsay. 
But  I  intend  not  to  busie  my  self  with  a 
Relation  of  other  mens  actions,  and  less  of 
the  faults  and  oversights  by  them  committed, 
though  they  are  yet  as  fresh  in  my  memory 
as  at  that  moment ;  and  seeing  that  what  I 
my  self  perform'd  in  that  Country,  at  that 
time,  was  in  the  quality  of  a  private  Souldier 
only,  I  being  not  as  yet  step'd  into  Command  : 
I  shall  no  longer  insist  upon  this  melancholy 
Subject,  which  has  also  been  writ  before  by 
others  :  only  this  I  shall  make  bold  to  affirm, 
that  Monsieur  de  Lautrec  was  by  no  means 
to  be  blam'd,  he  having  there  performed  all 
the  parts  of  a  good,  and  prudent  General, 
and  who  indeed  was  in  himself  one  of  the 
greatest  men  I  ever  knew.  Neither  shall  I 
trouble  my  self  to  give  a  narration  of  the 
Battel  of  the  Bicoque,  in  which  I  fought  on 
foot,  as  also  did  Monsieur  de  Montmorency, 
since  Constable  of  France  ;  A  Battel  that 
Monsieur  de  Lautrec  was  compell'd  to 
consent  unto,  through  the  obstinacy  of  the 
Swisse,  quite  contrary  to  his  own  judgment. 
A  nation  whose  wilfulness  I  have  seen 
occasion  the  loss  of  several  places,  &'  cause 
great  inconveniences  in  his  Majesties  affairs. 
They  are,  to  speak  the  truth,  a  very  warlike 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  45 

people,  and  serve  as  it  were  for  Bullwarks  to 
an  Army  :  but  then  they  must  never  want 
either  money  or  victuals,  for  they  are  not  to 
be  paid  with  words. 

After  the  unfortunate  loss  of  this  fair 
Dutchy  of  Millan,  all  the  forces  returned 
back  into  France,  and  with  them  the  Company 
of  the  said  Mareschal  de  Foix,  wherein  I  then 
had  not  only  the  place  of  a  Man  at  armes 
but  moreover  an  Assignation  of  an  Archers 
pay.  Sometime  after  the  Emperour  set 
another  Army  on  foot  to  recover  Fontarabie  ; 
whereupon  our  Company  and  several  others 
were  ordered  to  repair  to  Bayonne  to  Monsieur 
de  Lautrec,  who  was  his  Majesties  Lieutenant 
in  Guienne.  The  said  Sieur  de  Lautrec, 
that  he  might  the  better  make  head  against 
the  enemy  (who  made  a  shew  of  attempting 
something  upon  the  Frontier),  made  a 
suddain  leavy  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  Ensigns 
of  Foot  ;  which  was  the  occasion  that  I  (who 
ever  had  an  inclination  for  foot  service) 
entreated  leave  of  Captain  Sayas  (who 
carryed  the  Cornette  in  the  absence  of 
Captain  Carbon  his  brother)  for  three  months 
only  ;  that  I  might  accept  of  an  Ensign 
offer'd  to  me  by  Captain  Clotte  ;  who  at  last 
very  unwillingly  granted  my  suite,  although 
he  himself  had  first  sent  to  Captain  Carbon 


46  BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

to  soUicIte  it  in  my  behalf.  Suddainly  after 
this  (the  Enemy  being  dayly  reinforced  with 
fresh  supplies)  la  Clotte  was  commanded 
away  to  Bayonne,  &*  a  few  days  after  that 
Captain  Carbon  took  the  Companies  of 
Monsieur  de  Lautrec  and  the  Mareschal  his 
brother,  with  two  Companies  of  Foot,  to  wit, 
that  of  Megrin  Comenge,  and  la  Clotte  to 
conduct  us  thorugh  the  Woods  straight  to 
St  Jean  De  Luz,  where  the  enemies  Camp 
at  that  time  lay.  So  soon  as  we  were 
arrived  at  the  top  of  a  little  Hill  about  half 
a  quarter  of  a  League  distant  from  Luz 
(having  already  pass'd  a  little  River  by  a 
wooden  bridge,  another  half  quarter  of  a 
League  behind  this  little  hill,  at  the  foot 
whereof,  and  before  us  there  ran  a  rivolet  of 
fifteen  or  twenty  paces  broad,  and  deep  to  a 
mans  girdle,  joyning  to  which  there  is  also 
a  plain  which  extends  it  self  in  an  easie 
descent  down  to  the  said  Rivolet,  from 
whence  one  may  easily  discover  St  Jean  de 
Luz,  one  of  the  finest  Burgs  in  all  France 
and  seated  upon  the  Margent  of  the  Ocean 
Sea)  Captain  Carbon  who  commanded  the 
Party,  leaving  two  Cornets  upon  this  little 
hill,  the  one  whereof  was  carried  by  Captain 
Sayas,  which  was  ours,  and  the  other  by 
Captain    d'Andouins,    which     was    that    of 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  47 

Monsieur  de  Lautrec  (but  both  of  them  onely 
in  the  absence,  the  one  of  Captain  Carbon, 
the  other  of  Captain  Artiquiloube),  and  only- 
twenty  horse  with  each,  together  with  our 
two  Companies  of  foot,  took  the  rest  of  the 
Gens-d'armes,  and  with  them  Monsieur 
Gramont,  the  same  who  afterwards  dyed  in 
the  Kingdom  of  Naples,  and  who  was  at  this 
time  Lieutenant  to  the  Company  belonging 
to  Monsieur  de  Lautrec. 

With  this  Party  Captain  Carbon  pass'd  over 
the  little  River,  and  having  divided  his  men  into 
three  squadrons  (as  one  might  easily  discern 
from  the  Hill  where  we  stood)  trotted  along 
the  plain  directly  towards  St  Jean  de  Luz. 
Being  come  to  the  middle  of  the  plain,  he 
there  made  a  halt  for  an  hour  or  more,  whilst 
a  Trumpet  went  twice  and  sounded  the 
Fanfare  to  the  Enemy,  after  which  being 
about  to  retreat,  as  not  believing  any  one 
would  stir  out  of  the  Enemies  Camp,  the 
forlorn  which  he  had  sent  out  towards  the 
utmost  skirts  of  the  plain  return'd  back 
upon  the  spur,  to  acquaint  him  that  all  the 
Enemies  Camp  began  to  move  ;  and  suddenly 
after  we  began  to  discover  three  of  their 
Squadrons  of  Horse,  appearing  upon  their 
march  one  upon  the  heels  of  another,  and 
making  directly  towards  Monsieur  de  Carbon. 


48  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Of  these  the  first  that  came  up  presently 
and  smartly  charg'd  the  foremost  of  ours, 
where  there  were  many  Launces  broken  on 
both  sides  ;  but  more  of  ours  than  theirs, 
for  as  much  as  in  those  times  the  Spaniards 
carried  but  few  Launces,  and  those  very 
slender,  long,  and  pointed  at  both  ends. 
During  this  charge  Captain  Carbon  was 
leisurely  drawing  off  the  other  two  Squadrons 
towards  the  place  where  we  were,  when  the 
second  of  the  Enemies  squadrons  coming  up, 
and  uniting  with  the  first,  beat  up  our  first 
to  our  second  squadron,  commanded  by 
Monsieur  Gramont,  where  the  skirmish  was 
very  hot,  and  a  great  many  men  thrown  to 
ground  both  on  the  one  side  and  the  other, 
amongst  whom  were  the  Seigneurs  de 
Gramont,  who  had  his  horse  kill'd  under 
him,  de  Luppe,  Standard-bearer  to  Monsieur 
de  Lautrec,  de  Poigressi,  who  is  since  turn'd 
Hugonot,  de  la  Fay  de  Xaintonge,  who  is 
yet  living,  and  divers  others.  At  the  same 
instant  we  discovered  another  great  Party  of 
Horse  advancing  towards  us  a  little  on  our 
left  hand,  at  the  sight  of  which  the  Captains 
who  carried  our  Colours  came  both  of  them 
running  to  me,  and  saying  we  are  all  lost, 
whereupon  I  told  them,  that  it  were  better 
than  so  to  conclude  to  hazard  fourscore  or  an 


ST  JEAN  DE   LUZ  49 

hundred  Foot  to  bring  off  our  Horse  who 
were  engag'd.  To  which  La  Clotte,  and 
Megrin  made  answer,  that  that  venture 
would  only  occasion  a  greater  loss,  and  that 
moreover  they  very  much  doubted  the 
Souldiers  would  hardly  be  perswaded  to  go 
down,  seeing  death  so  manifest  before  their 
eyes.  Now  you  must  understand  there  was 
no  one  present  at  this  discourse,  saving  the 
two  forementioned  Captains  and  my  self,  our 
Foot  standing  drawn  up  fourteen,  or  fifteen 
paces  behind  ;  and  it  was  not  amiss  ;  for  I 
make  a  great  question  had  they  heard  what 
we  said,  and  seeing  the  Gens-d'armes  in 
manifest  danger  to  be  lost,  whether  I  should 
have  been  so  chearfuUy  followed  as  I  was. 
And  it  is  a  good  rule  as  much  as  a  man  can 
to  conceal  from  the  Souldier  the  danger  of 
any  enterprize,  if  you  intend  to  have  them  go 
briskly  to  their  work.  To  this  last  objection 
of  the  two  Captains,  I  made  answer  that  I 
would  run  the  hazard  to  lead  them  on,  and 
that  lost  or  not  lost  it  was  better  to  hazard 
and  to  lose  fourscore  or  an  hundred  Foot 
than  all  our  Gens-d'armes.  And  thereupon 
without  further  deliberation  (for  long  con- 
sultations are  often  the  ruine  of  brave 
attempts)  I  return'd  back  to  the  Souldiers 
and  the  Captains  with  me  (for  the  business 
D 


so  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

requir'd  hast),  saying  to  them  only  these  few 
words,  Come  on.  Come  on  Comrades,  let  us 
go,  and  relieve  our  Gens-d'armes,  and  was 
thereupon  foUow'd  by  an  hundred  Foot  of 
our  own  Company,  who  with  very  great 
resolution  descended  with  me  to  the  foot  of  the 
Hill,  where  at  the  head  of  my  men  1  passed 
over  the  brook,  and  there  deliver'd  twenty  of 
my  men  to  be  led  by  the  Bastard  of  Auzan, 
a  Gentleman  who  has  nothing  blemish'd  the 
legitimate  Sons  of  his  race  ;  though  all  of 
them  men  of  singular  beauty  and  remark- 
able valour. 

Now  you  must  know  that  the  Company 
I  commanded  was  no  other  than  Cross-bows, 
for  at  this  time  the  use  of  the  Harquebuze 
had  not  as  yet  been  introduced  amongst  us  ; 
only  three  or  four  days  before  six  Gascon 
Harquebusiers  came  over  to  us  from  the 
Enemy,  which  I  had  received  into  my 
Company,  having  by  good  fortune  been  that 
day  upon  the  Guard  at  the  great  Gate  of 
the  City  ;  and  of  those  six,  one  was  a  native 
of  the  Territory  of  Montluc.  Would  to 
heaven  that  this  accursed  engine  had  never 
been  invented,  I  had  not  then  receiv'd  those 
wounds  which  I  now  languish  under,  neither 
had  so  many  valiant  men  been  slain  for  the 
most  part  by  the   most  pitiful  fellows  and 


ST  JEAN  DE   LUZ  51 

the  greatest  Cowards ;  Poltrons  that  had 
not  dar'd  to  look  those  men  in  the  face  at 
hand,  which  at  distance  they  laid  dead  with 
their  confounded  bullets  :  but  it  was  the 
Devil's  invention  to  make  us  murther  one 
another.  Being  thus  past  the  River,  I  order'd 
the  Bastard  d'  Auzan  not  to  suffer  his  men 
to  shoot,  but  only  to  present  as  if  they 
intended  to  do  it,  to  the  end  that  he  might 
favour  mine,  and  give  them  time  to  discharge 
and  retire  again  into  their  order.  Now  when 
I  was  under  the  foot  of  the  Hill,  I  could  not 
possibly  see  what  our  men  did  ;  but  being 
advanc'd  a  little  further  into  the  plain,  I  saw 
all  the  Enemies  three  Squadrons  drawn  up 
into  one  body,  and  the  great  party  on  the 
left  hand,  marching  upon  a  good  round  trot 
directly  towards  ours,  who  were  rallyed  and 
stood  firm  without  being  able  either  to 
advance  forwards  or  to  retire  back  by  reason 
of  some  great  stones  that  lay  scatter'd  in 
their  Rear.  Here  it  was  that  Captain 
Carbon  (who  had  no  Arms  on,  having  before 
been  wounded  in  his  left  arm  by  an  Arquebuze 
shot)  seeing  me  so  near  him,  came  up  to 
me  and  said,  Oh  Montluc,  my  dear  friend, 
charge  up  boldly,  I  will  never  forsake  thee  : 
Captain,  said  I,  take  you  only  care  to  save 
your   self  and  your  Gens-d'armes,   at   the 


52  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

same  instant  crying  out.  Shoot,  Comrades, 
at  the  head  of  these  Horse.  I  was  not 
above  a  dozen  paces  distant  from  the  Enemy 
when  1  gave  them  this  Volley,  by  which 
(as  it  appear'd  by  the  testimony  of  the 
Prisoners  who  were  taken  a  few  days  after) 
above  fifty  Horses  were  kill'd  and  wounded, 
and  two  Troopers  slain,  an  execution  that 
a  little  cool'd  their  courage,  and  caus'd  their 
Troops  to  make  a  halt.  In  the  mean  time 
Captain  Carbon  had  leisure  with  his  party 
to  retire  full  gallop  towards  the  brook  I  had 
pass'd  over  to  relieve  him  ;  where  such  as 
had  their  horses  lost,  taking  hold  of  the 
others  horse  tayls,  sav'd  themselves  also,  and 
all  together  passed  over  the  River.  Which 
hast  they  were  necessitated  to  make,  or 
otherwise  the  great  party  of  horse  on  the 
left  hand  had  charg'd  them  in  the  Flank, 
had  they  drawn  more  leisurely  off.  In 
the  mean  time  under  favour  of  the  twenty 
Cross-bows  of  d'Auzan,  who  sustain'd  us, 
we  rallied  again  and  gave  another  volley. 
So  soon  as  Captain  Carbon  had  passed  the 
River  with  his  Horse,  remounted  Monsieur 
de  Gramont  on  another  horse,  and  mounted 
the  rest  en  Crouppe,  he  commanded  the  said 
Sieur  de  Gramont  to  ride  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  and  in  all  hast  to  draw  off  the  Ensigns 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  53 

both  of  horse  and  foot  at  a  round  trot 
directly  to  the  other  River,  where  the  bridg 
was  that  leads  towards  Bayonne.  Which 
order  being  given,  he  suddenly  turned  back 
again  towards  me,  having  in  his  company 
an  Italian  call'd  Signior  Diomede,  and  the 
Sieur  de  Mainahaut,  where  he  found  me 
retreating  towards  a  ditch  upon  the  edg  of 
a  Marish,  and  of  which  I  might  be  within 
some  twelve  or  fourteen  paces,  which  not 
only  hindered  him  from  getting  up  to 
me,  but  moreover  gave  him  enough  to  do 
to  save  himself.  I  notwithstanding  in  spite 
of  the  Enemy  recovered  the  ditch  of  the 
Marish,  being  still  shelter'd  by  d'Auzan, 
whom  I  commanded  to  climb  over  in  great 
diligence,  and  there  to  make  head,  which 
he  accordingly  performed. 

The  Spaniards  in  the  mean  time  made  a 
shew  as  if  they  meant  to  charge,  but  they 
durst  not  attempt  to  break  into  me  ;  neither 
were  my  six  Harquebusiers  idle  all  this  while, 
but  did  wonders  with  their  shot,  when 
having  at  last  retreated  my  men  within  five 
or  six  paces  of  the  ditch,  I  caused  them  all 
in  an  instant  to  throw  themselves  into  it, 
and  under  favour  of  d'Auzan,  almost  as 
suddainly  to  mount  the  ditch  bank  on  the 
other  side,  over  which  we  all  got  safe  and 


54  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

sound  saving  three  soldiers  who  were  slain 
with  Harquebuze  shot  for  not  having  been 
so  nimble  as  the  rest  ;  and  here  it  was  that, 
as  in  a  little  fort,  I  made  head  against  the 
Enemy.  Now  you  must  know,  that  that 
party  of  the  Enemy  which  came  up  on  the 
left  hand,  made  a  halt  at  the  bank  of  the 
River  when  they  saw  our  Horse  were 
already  got  half  way  up  the  hill  ;  and  those 
who  had  fought,  and  to  whom  1  had  given 
a  stop  at  the  ditch  bank,  were  now  upon 
their  retreat  home,  when  seeing  three 
Squadrons  of  Harquebusiers  coming  along 
the  plain,  and  making  towards  them  with 
all  the  speed  they  could,  it  reviv'd  their 
spirits,  and  inspir'd  them  with  new  courage 
to  face  about  again.  I,  in  the  mean  time, 
(having  also  discover'd  these  fresh  succours) 
began  to  shift  along  by  the  ditch,  till  being  by 
the  return  of  a  corner  of  it  slipt  out  of  their 
sight,  I  drew  my  men  into  a  very  narrow 
meadow  from  whence  at  full  speed  I  gain'd 
the  foot  of  the  hill  I  had  descended  before, 
and  having  repass'd  the  River,  soon  re- 
covered the  top  of  the  mountain.  The 
danger  wherein  I  saw  myself  to  be,  as  well 
of  the  Horse  I  had  pressing  upon  my  Rear, 
as  of  the  Battaillon  of  Infantry  which  I  saw 
fast  advancing  towards  me,  did  not  however 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  SS 

make  me  loose  my  Judgment  in  a  time  of 
so  great  need  ;  nor  hinder  me  from  discern- 
ing and  taking  this  opportunity  for  my  retreat, 
during  which  I  made  the  little  handful  of 
men  I  had  march  very  close  together  ;  and 
by  turnes  encouraging  and  speaking  to 
them,  made  them  often  face  about  and 
salute  the  Cavalry,  who  pursued  me  both 
with  Cross-bow  and  Harquebuze  shot  ; 
when  having  gain'd  the  top  of  the  hill,  1 
drew  into  an  Orchard,  making  fast  the  Gate 
on  the  inside  that  the  Horse  might  not 
so  suddainly  enter,  and  by  the  favour  of 
that  and  several  others  planted  with  Apples, 
still  made  on  towards  the  Bridge,  till  I  came 
to  a  little  Church  call'd  Hait^e,  from  whence 
I  perceived  the  great  road  to  be  all  covered 
over  with  the  Enemies  Horse,  there  being 
nevertheless  a  great  ditch  betwixt  them  and 
me,  from  whence  I  bestow'd  upon  them 
some  Arquebuze  and  Cross-bow  shot,  which 
also  very  seldom  fail'd  of  their  effect,  and 
compell'd  them  (seeing  they  could  not  come 
up  to  me)  some  to  advance  forwards,  and 
others  to  retire.  I  then  put  some  of  my 
men  into  the  Church  yard,  thinking  there 
again  to  make  head  ;  the  greatest  folly  I 
committed  throughout  the  whole  action ; 
for  in  the  mean  time  a  good  number  of  their 


S6  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Horse  gliding  along  by  the  meadow  straight 
towards  the  Bridge,  were  already  advanc'd 
so  far  that  1  saw  my  self  totally  enclos'd 
without  all  manner  of  hope  to  escape  and 
to  save  my  self. 

Now  so  soon  as  Captain  Carbon  had 
recovered  the  Bridg,  and  that  the  Horse  and 
Foot  were  all  pass'd  over,  he  commanded 
Monsieur  Gramont  to  hast  away,  not  only 
a  trot  but  a  full  gallop  ;  for  he  already 
discover'd  the  Enemies  Infantry  in  the 
Orchards,  which  I  could  not  do  ;  neither 
did  I  ever  perceive  them  till  they  began 
to  shoot  at  me  ;  and  then  I  made  a  sign  to 
my  Soldiers  in  the  Church  yard  to  come 
and  draw  up  to  me  in  the  great  high  way. 
Captain  Carbon  in  the  interim,  being  he 
saw  nothing  of  me,  half  concluded  us  all 
for  kill'd  or  taken,  and  yet  seeing  all  the 
Enemies  Troops  of  horse  both  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  left,  making  directly 
towards  the  Bridge,  would  leave  Captain 
Campai  (an  admirable  good  Soldier)  at  the  end 
of  the  Bridge  with  five  and  twenty  horse  and 
thirty  Cross-bows  of  Captain  Megrin's 
Company,  to  try  if  there  were  any  possible 
means  to  relieve  me,  were  I  yet  alive, 
causing  the  Bridg  in  the  mean  time  to  be 
broken  down.     Now  because  that  Troop  of 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  57 

the  Enemies  horse,  which  march'd  on  the 
right  hand,  made  a  great  deal  more  hast 
towards  the  Bridge,  than  that  of  the  left, 
I  quitted  the  great  high  way,  and  under 
favour  of  a  hedg  made  straight  towards  the 
River,  where  I  was  again  to  encounter  the 
Horse,  which  notwithstanding  I  made  my 
way  thorow,  chopt  into  the  River,  and  in 
despite  of  them  all,  passed  over  to  the  other 
side,  wherein  the  banks  of  the  River  being 
high,  favour'd  me  very  much,  they  being 
too  steep  for  the  horse  to  get  down,  neither 
was  our  shot  of  both  sorts  idle  in  the 
mean  time.  At  last  I  recover'd  the  end  of 
the  Bridg,  when  I  found  Captain  Campai 
very  busie  at  work  to  break  it,  and  who 
so  soon  as  he  saw  me  was  very  importunate 
with  me  to  save  my  self,  at  the  same  time 
presenting  me  the  Crupper  of  his  horse  to 
that  end  :  but  he  had  no  other  answer  from 
me  but  this,  that  God  had  hitherto  pre- 
served me,  and  my  Soldiers  also,  whom 
I  was  likewise  resolved  never  to  abandon 
till  I  had  first  brought  them  into  a  place  ot 
safety.  Whilst  we  were  in  this  dispute  we 
were  aware  of  the  Spanish  Infantry  coming 
directly  towards  the  Bridg,  when  finding 
our  selves  too  weak  to  stand  the  shock, 
Campai    with    the    Cross-bows    of   Captain 


58  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Megrin  took  the  Van  in  order  to  a  retreat,  and 
I  remain'd  in  the  Rear,  having  gain'd  a 
ditch  that  enclos'd  a  little  meadow,  which 
was  sufficient  to  defend  me  from  the  horse, 
it  being  so  high  that  they  could  not  come 
to  charge. 

I  had  now  nothing  left  me  but  my  six 
Harquebusiers,  my  Cross-bows  having  already 
spent  all  their  Arrows,  nevertheless  to  shew 
that  their  hearts  were  not  down  I  caus'd 
them  to  hold  their  Swords  ready  drawn  in 
the  one  hand,  and  their  Bows  in  the  other 
to  serve  instead  of  a  Buckler.  Now  Captain 
Campai's  men  had  broken  down  the  greatest 
part  of  the  Bridg  before  they  went  away, 
by  reason  of  which  impediment  the  Cavalry 
could  not  so  soon  come  up  to  us,  having 
been  constrain'd  to  foord  the  River  two 
Harlquebuze  shot  on  the  right  hand,  whilst 
the  Foot  in  the  mean  time  with  grreat 
difficulty  fil'd  it  over  one  by  one  by  the 
rails  of  the  Bridge,  a  posture  wherein  it  had 
been  a  very  easie  matter  to  defeat  them,  had 
I  not  foreseen  that  then  the  Cavalry  would 
have  come  up  to  enclose  me,  and  our  honour 
depended  upon  our  retreat.  Wherefore 
still  getting  ground,  and  from  ditch  to 
ditch,  having  gain'd  about  half  a  quarter 
of  a  league  of  way,  I  made  a  halt  that  my 


ST  JEAN   DE  LUZ  59 

men  might  not  be  out  of  breath,  when 
looking  back  I  perceiv'd  the  Enemy  had 
done  so  too,  and  saw  by  his  countenance  that 
he  grew  weary  of  the  pursuit,  a  thing  at 
which  I  was  very  much  astonish'd  and  not 
a  little  glad,  for  in  plain  truth  we  were  able 
to  do  no  more,  having  taken  a  little  Water 
and  Cider  and  some  Maiz  bread  out  of 
a  few  small  houses  we  met  upon  the  way. 
In  the  mean  time  Captain  Campai  sent  out 
some  Horse  to  see  what  was  become  of  us, 
believing  me  to  be  either  dead  or  taken. 
And  now  behold  us  arriv'd  in  a  place  of 
safety,  with  the  loss  of  only  three  men  in  the 
first  ditch,  and  the  brave  Bastard  d'Auzan 
who  by  loytering  something  too  long  in 
a  little  house  by  the  Church  was  unfortunately 
lost. 

In  the  interim  of  this  bustle  which  con- 
tinued pretty  long,  the  alarm  was  carried  to 
Monsieur  de  Lautrec  to  Bayonne,  together 
with  the  news  that  we  were  all  totally 
defeated,  at  which  he  was  exceedingly 
troubled,  in  regard  of  the  ill  consequences 
that  usually  attend  the  fleshing  and  giving 
an  Enemy  blood  in  the  beginning  of  a  War. 
However  he  drew  out  presently  into  the 
field,  and  was  advanc'd  but  a  very  little  way 
when    he   discover'd  our  Ensigns    of  Foot 


6o  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

conducted  by  the  Sieur  de  Gramont,  march- 
ing upon  the  Road  towards  him,  who  so 
soon  as  he  came  up,  presently  gave  him 
an  account  of  what  had  happened,  and  did 
me  the  honour  to  tell  him  that  I  was  the 
cause  of  their  preservation  :  but  that  withall 
I  was  lost  in  the  service.  Captain  Carbon 
was  not  yet  arriv'd,  forasmuch  as  he  had 
made  a  halt  to  stay  for  Captain  Campai, 
from  him  to  learn  the  issue  of  the  business  : 
but  in  the  end  he  came  up  also,  to  whom 
Monsieur    de   Lautrec   spoke    these    words. 

*  Well,  Carbon,  was  this  a  time  wherein  to 

*  commit  such  a  piece  of  folly  as  this  ?  which 

*  I  do  assure  you  is  not  of  so  little  moment,  but 

*  that  you  have  thereby  endangered  the  making 
'  me  lose  this  City  of  Bayonne,  which  you 

*  know  to  be  a  place  of  so  great  importance.' 
To    which    Carbon    made    answer.     *  Sir,    I 

*  have  committed  a  very  great  fault,  and  the 

*  greatest  folly  that  ever  I  was  guilty  of  in  my 
'  whole  life  :  to  this  hour  the  like  disgrace  has 

*  never  befallen  me  ;  but  seeing  it  has  pleased 

*  God  to  preserve  us  from  being  defeated,  1 

*  shall  be  wiser  for  the  time  to  come.' 
Monsieur  de  Lautrec  then  demanded  of  him, 
if  there  was  any  news  of  me,  to  which  he 
made  answer,  that  he  thought  I  was  lost  : 
but  as    they  were   returning  softly  towards 


ST  JEAN   DE   LUZ  6i 

the  city  in  expectation  of  further  news, 
Captain  Campai  also  arriv'd,  who  assured 
them  that  I  was  come  safely  off,  relating 
withal  the  handsom  retreat  I  had  made,  in 
despite  and  in  the  very  teeth  of  the  Enemy, 
with  the  loss  of  four  men  only,  and  that 
it  was  not  possible  but  that  the  Enemy  must 
have  lost  a  great  number  of  men.  I  was 
no  sooner  come  to  my  Quarters,  but  that 
a  Gentleman  was  sent  from  Monsieur  de 
Lautrec  to  bring  me  to  him,  who  entertained 
me  with  as  much  kindness  and  respect  as  he 
could  have  done  any  Gentleman  in  the 
Kingdom,  saying  to  me  these  words  in 
Gascon  ;  *  Montluc  mon  amic,  you  a' 
*oublideray  jamai  lou  service  qu'  abes  fait  au 
*  Roy,  ^  m'en  seviera  tant  que  you  vivrai.' 
Which  is,  *  Montluc,  my  friend,  I  will  never 
forget  the  service  you  have  this  day  per- 
formed for  the  King  ;  but  will  be  mindful  of 
it  so  long  as  1  live.'  There  is  as  much 
honor  in  a  handsom  retreat  as  there  is  in 
good  fighting,  and  this  was  a  Lord  who  was 
not  wont  to  caress  many  people  ;  a  fault 
that  I  have  often  observ'd  in  him  ;  neverthe- 
less he  was  pleas'd  to  express  an  extra- 
ordinary favour  to  me  all  the  time  we  sate 
at  supper,  which  he  also  continued  to  me 
ever  after,  insomuch  that  calling  me  to  mind 


62  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

four  or  five  years  after,  he  dispatch'd  an 
express  Courrier  to  me  from  Paris  into 
Gascony  with  a  Commission  to  raise  a 
Company  of  Foot,  entreating  me  to  bear  him 
company  in  his  expedition  to  Naples,  and 
has  ever  since  put  a  greater  value  upon  me, 
than  I  deserved.  This  was  the  first  action 
I  was  ever  in  in  the  quality  of  a  Commander, 
and  from  whence  I  began  to  derive  my 
reputation. 

The  Taking  of  Capistrano  and  the 
Subsequent  Consultation  between  two 
Doctors  and  a  Surgeon 

Now  near  unto  Ascoly  there  is  a  little  town 
called  Capistrano,  seated  upon  the  top  of  a 
Mountain,  of  so  difficult  access  that  the 
ascent  is  very  steep  on  all  sides,  saving  on 
those  of  the  two  Gates,  into  which  a  great 
number  of  the  Soldiers  of  the  Country  had 
withdrawn,  and  fortified  themselves.  The 
Court  Pedro  de  Navarre,  who  was  our 
Collonel,  commanded  our  Gascon  Companies 
to  attaque  this  Post,  which  we  accordingly 
did,  and  assaulted  the  place.  We  caused  some 
Marteletts*    to    be     made     wherewith    to 

*  Moving  Pent-houses  under  the  protection  of  which 
Soldiers  use  to  approach  a  wall. 


CAPISTRANO  6^ 

approach  the  Wall,  in  which  we  made  two 
holes  of  capacity  sufficient  for  a  man  easily  to 
enter  in,  about  fifty  or  threescore  paces 
distant  the  one  from  the  other  :  whereof  I 
having  made  the  one,  I  would  my  self  needs 
be  the  first  to  enter  at  that  place.  The 
Enemy  on  the  other  side  had  in  the  mean 
time  pull'd  up  the  planks  and  removed  the 
boards  and  tables  from  the  roof  of  a  Parlour 
into  which  this  hole  was  made,  and  where 
they  had  plac'd  a  great  tub  full  of  stones. 
One  of  the  Companies  of  Monsieur  de 
Lupp6,  our  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  mine 
prepar'd  to  enter  at  this  place,  and  now  God 
had  granted  me  the  thing  that  I  had  ever 
desir'd,  which  was  to  be  present  at  an  assault 
there  to  enter  the  first  man  or  to  lose  my 
life  :  I  therefore  threw  my  self  headlong  into 
the  Parlour,  having  on  a  Coat  of  Mail,  such 
as  the  Germans  used  in  those  days,  a  Sword 
in  my  hand,  a  Targuette  upon  my  arm,  and 
a  Morrion  upon  my  head  ;  but  as  those  who 
were  at  my  heels  were  pressing  to  get  in 
after  me,  the  Enemy  pour'd  the  great  tub  of 
stones  upon  their  heads,  and  trapt  them  in 
the  hole,  by  reason  whereof  they  could  not 
possibly  follow.  I  therefore  remain'd  all 
alone  within,  fighting  at  a  door  that  went  out 
into  the  street :    but   from  the  roof  of  the 


64  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Parlour,  which  was  unplank'd  and  laid  open 

for  that  purpose,  they  pepper'd  me  in   the 

mean    time    with    an    infinite    number    of 

Harquebuze  shot,  one  of  which  pierc'd  my 

Targuette,  and  shot  my  arm  quite  through, 

within  four  fingers  of  my  hand,  and  another  so 

batter'd  the  bone  at  the  knitting  of  my  arm 

and  shoulder,  that  I  lost  all  manner  of  feeling, 

so  that  letting  my  Targuette  fall  I  was  con- 

strain'd  to   retire    towards  my  hole,  against 

which  I  was  born  over  by  those  who  fought 

at  the  door  of  the  Parlour  :  but  so  fortunately 

nevertheless  for  me,  that  my  Soldiers  had, 

by  that  means,  opportunity  to  draw  me  out 

by  the  legs,  but  so  leisurely  withal   that  they 

very  courteously  made  me  tumble  heels  over 

head  from  the  very  top  to  the  bottom  of  the 

Grasse,  wherein  rowling  over  the  ruines  of 

the  Stones,  I  again  broke  my  already  wounded 

arm  in  two  places.     So  soon  as  my  men  had 

gathered  me  up,  I  told  them  that  1  thought 

1  had  left  my  arm  behind  me  in  the  Town, 

when  one  of  my  Soldiers  lifting  it  up  from 

whence  it  hung,  as  in  a  Scarf,  dangling  upon 

my  buttocks,  and  laying  it  over  the  other,  put 

me  into  a  little  heart  ;  after  which,  seeing  the 

Soldiers  of  my  own  Company  gather'd  round 

about  me.  Oh  my  Comrades  (said  I)  have  I 

always  us'd  you  so  kindly,  and  ever  loved 


CAPISTRANO  65 

you  so  well,  to  forsake  me  in  such  a  time  as 
this  ?  which  I  said,  not  knowing  how  they 
had  been  hindered  from  following  me  in. 

Upon  this  my  Lieutenant,  who  had  almost 
been  stifled  to  death  in  the  hole,  called  la 
Bastide  (Father  to  the  Savillans  now  living, 
and  one  of  the  bravest  Gentlemen  in  our 
Army)  propos'd  to  two  Basque  Captains 
call'd  Martin  and  Ramonet,  who  always 
quarter'd  near  unto  my  Company,  that  if 
they  would  with  Ladders  storm  by  a  Canton 
of  the  wall  hard  by,  he  would  undertake,  at 
the  same  time,  to  enter  by  the  hole  it  self, 
and  either  force  his  entry  that  way,  or  lose  his 
life  in  the  attempt.  To  which  I  also  en- 
couraged them,  as  much  as  my  weakness 
would  permit.  The  Ladders  being  therefore 
presently  brought,  and  tyed  together,  because 
they  proved  too  short,  la  Bastide  made  to- 
wards the  hole,  having  sent  to  the  other 
Captains  to  do  as  much  to  the  other  ;  but  they 
did  no  great  feats.  In  the  interior  la 
Bastide  was  fighting  within,  having  already 
gained  the  hole,  Martin  and  Ramonet  gave 
a  brave  Scalado  to  the  Canton,  and  with  so 
good  success,  that  they  beat  the  Enemy  from 
the  wall,  and  entred  the  Town.  Of  this 
being  presently  advertis'd,  I  sent  to  la 
Bastide  to  conjure  him  to  save  me  as  many 
E 


66  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

women  and  maids  as  he  possibly  could,  that 
they  might  not  be  violated  (having  that  in 
devotion  for  a  vow  I  had  made  to  our  Lady 
of  Loretta,  hoping  that  God,  for  this  good 
act,  would  please  to  be  assisting  to  me) 
which  he  did  ;  bringing  fifteen  or  twenty, 
which  were  also  all  that  were  saved  ;  the 
Soldiers  being  so  animated  to  revenge  the 
wounds  I  had  receiv'd,  and  to  express  their 
affection  to  me,  that  they  killed  all  before 
them,  so  much  as  to  the  very  children,  and 
moreover  set  the  Town  on  fire.  And 
although  the  Bishop  of  Ascoly  (this  being  a 
member  of  his  Diocess)  was  very  importunate 
with  Monsieur  de  Lautrec  in  behalf  of  the 
Town,  the  Soldiers  could  notwithstanding 
never  be  made  to  leave  it  till  they  saw  it 
reduced  to  Ashes.  The  next  day  I  was 
carried  to  Ascoly,  where  Monsieur  de 
Lautrec  sent  Messieurs  de  Gramont  and  de 
Montpezat  to  see  how  I  did,  with  whom  he 
moreover  sent  two  Chirurgeons  the  King 
had  given  him  at  his  departure,  the  one  called 
Master  Alesme,  and  the  other  Master 
George  ;  who,  after  they  had  seen  how 
miserably  my  arm  was  mangled  and  shatter'd, 
positively  pronounced,  that  there  was  no 
other  way  to  save  my  life  but  to  cut  it  off, 
the  execution  whereof  was  deferr'd  till  the 


CAPISTRANO  67 

next  morning.  Monsieur  de  Lautrec  there- 
upon commanded  the  said  Sieurs  de 
Montpezat  and  de  Gramont  to  be  present  at 
the  work,  which  they  promised  they  would, 
but  not  without  some  difficulty,  out  of  the 
friendship  they  both  had  for  me,  especially 
the  Sieur  de  Gramont.  Now  you  must 
understand  that  my  Soldiers  had,  a  few  days 
before,  taken  prisoner  a  young  man,  a 
Chirurgeon,  who  had  formerly  belong'd  to 
Monsieur  de  Bourbon.  This  young  fellow 
having  understood  the  determination  to  cut 
off  my  arm  (for  I  had  entertain'd  him  into 
my  service)  never  ceased  to  importune  me, 
by  no  means  to  endure  it,  representing  to 
me  that  I  was  not  as  yet  arrived  to  the  one 
half  of  my  age,  and  that  I  would  wish  my 
self  dead  an  hundred  times  a  day  when  I 
should  come  to  be  sensible  of  the  want  of  an 
arm.  The  morning  being  come,  the  fore- 
mentioned  Lords  and  the  two  Chirurgions 
and  Physicians  came  into  my  chamber  with 
all  their  instruments  and  plaisters,  without 
more  ceremony,  or  giving  me  so  much  as 
leisure  to  repent,  to  cut  off  my  arm,  having 
in  command  from  Monsieur  de  Lautrec  to 
tell  me  that  I  should  not  consider  the  loss 
of  an  Arm  to  save  my  life  ;  nor  despair  of 
my  fortune  ;  for  although  his  Majesty  should 


68  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

not  regard  my  service,  nor  take  it  into  con- 
sideration to  settle  a  subsistence  for  me,  yet 
that  nevertheless  his  wife  and  himself  had 
forty  thousand  Livers  a  year  revenue  where- 
with to  recompence  my  valour  and  to  provide 
that  I  should  never  want,  only  ne  wished  me 
to  have  patience,  and  to  manifest  my  courage 
upon  this  occasion.  Every  thing  being  now 
ready,  and  my  arm  going  to  be  opened  to  be 
cut  off,  the  young  Chirurgeon,  standing 
behind  my  bed's  head,  never  desisted  preach- 
ing to  me  by  no  means  to  suffer  it,  insomuch 
that  (as  God  would  have  it)  though  I  was 
prepared  and  resolved  to  let  them  do  what 
they  would  with  me,  he  made  me  to  alter 
my  determination  ;  whereupon,  without 
doing  any  thing  more,  both  the  Lords  and 
the  Chirurgeons  return'd  back  to  Monsieur 
de  Lautrec  to  give  him  an  account  of  the 
business,  who  (as  they  have  all  of  them 
several  times  since  assured  me)  said  these 
words.  *  I  am  glad  to  hear  he  is  so  resolved, 
'  and  should  also  my  self  have  repented  the 
'  causing  of  it  to  be  done  ;  for  had  he  dyed,  I 
'  should    ever    have    suspected    my    self    to 

*  have  been  the  occasion  of  his  death  ;  and 
'  had  he  lived  without  an  arm,  I  should 
'  never    have    looked    upon    him    but   with 

*  exceeding  great  trouble,  to  see  him  in  such 


CAPISTRANO  69 

*  a  condition  ;   let    God  therefore   work    his 

*  will.' 

Immediately  after  the  two  forenamed 
Chirurgeons  came  to  examine  mine,  whether  or 
no  he  was  sufficient  to  undertake  the  cure  ;  for 
otherwise  it  was  order'd  that  one  of  them 
should  remain  with  me  ;  but  they  found  him 
capable  enough,  to  which  they  also  added  some 
instructions  what  was  to  be  done  upon  such 
accidents  as  might  happen.  The  next  day, 
which  was  the  fourth  after  my  hurt.  Monsieur 
de  Lautrec  caused  me  to  be  carried  after  him 
to  Termes  de  Breffe,  where  he  left  me  in  his 
own  quarters,  to  the  care  of  the  man  of  the 
house,  who  was  a  Gentleman,  and  for  the 
further  assurance  of  my  person  carryed 
Hostages  with  him  two  of  the  most  consider- 
able men  of  the  Town,  whereof  one  was 
brother  to  the  Gentleman  of  the  house, 
assuring  them  that  if  any  the  least  foul  play 
was  offer'd  to  me  those  two  men  should 
infallibly  be  hang'd.  In  this  place  I  remain'd 
two  months  and  a  half,  lying  continually  upon 
my  reins,  insomuch  that  my  very  back  bone 
pierced  through  my  skin,  which  is  doubtless 
the  greatest  torment  that  any  one  in  the 
world  can  possibly  endure  ;  and  although  I 
have  written  in  this  narrative  of  my  life  that 
I  have  been  one  of  the  most  fortunate  men 


70  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

that  have  born  arms  these  many  years,  in  that 
I  have  ever  been  victorious  wherever  I  com- 
manded ;  yet  have  I  not  been  exempt  from 
great  wounds  and  dangerous  sicknesses,  of 
which  I  have  had  as  many  and  as  great  as 
any  man  ever  had  who  outliv'd  them.  God 
being  still  pleased  to  curb  my  pride,  that  I 
might  know  my  self,  and  acknowledg  all  good 
and  evil  to  depend  upon  his  pleasure  :  but  all 
this  notwithstanding  a  scurvy,  sour,  morose, 
and  cholerick  nature  of  my  own  (which 
savours  a  little  and  too  much  of  my  native 
Soil)  has  evermore  made  me  play  one  trick 
or  another  of  a  Gascon,  which  also  I  have  no 
great  reason  to  repent.  So  soon  as  my  arm 
was  come  to  a  perfect  suppuration,  they  began 
to  raise  me  out  of  Bed,  having  a  little 
cushion  under  my  arm,  and  both  that  and 
my  arm  swath'd  up  close  to  my  body.  In 
this  posture  I  continued  a  few  days  longer, 
until  mounting  a  little  Mule  that  1  had,  I 
caused  my  self  to  be  carried  before  Naples, 
where  our  Camp  was  already  sate  down, 
having  first  sent  away  a  Gentleman  of  mine 
on  foot  to  our  Lady  of  Loretta  to  accomplish 
my  vow,  I  my  self  being  in  no  condition  to 
perform  it.  The  pain  I  had  suffer 'd  was 
neither  so  insupportable  nor  so  great  as  the 
affliction  I  had  not  to  have  been  present  at 


CAPISTRANO  71 

the  taking  of  Malphe  and  other  places  ;  nor 
at  the  defeating  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  who 
after  the  death  of  Monsieur  de  Bourbon, 
(slain  at  the  Sack  of  Rome)  commanded  the 
Imperial  Army.  Had  not  this  valiant 
Prince  (of  deplorable  memory  for  the  foul- 
ness of  his  revolt  from  his  Lord  and  Master) 
dyed  in  the  very  height  of  his  Victories,  I  do 
believe  he  had  sent  us  back  the  Popes  into 
Avignon  once  again. 

At  my  arrival  at  the  Camp,  Monsieur  de 
Lautrec  and  all  the  other  great  persons  of 
the  Army  received  me  with  great  demon- 
strations of  kindness  and  esteem,  and 
particularly  Count  Pedro  de  Navarre,  who 
caused  a  confiscation  to  be  settled  upon  me 
of  the  value  of  twelve  hundred  Duckets 
yearly  revenue  call'd  la  Tour  de  la  Nunciade, 
one  of  the  fairest  Castles  in  all  the  Territory 
of  Labour,  and  the  first  Barony  of  Naples, 
belonging  to  a  rich  Spaniard  call'd  Don 
Ferdino.  I  then  thought  myself  the  greatest 
Lord  in  all  the  Army  :  but  I  found  my  self 
the  poorest  Rogue  in  the  end,  as  you  shall 
see  by  the  continuation  of  this  discourse.  I 
could  here  dilate  at  full  how  the  Kingdom  of 
Naples  was  lost,  after  it  was  almost  wholly 
conquer'd,  a  story  that  has  been  writ  by 
many  :  but  it  is  great  pity  they  would  not 


72  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

or  durst  not  relate  the  truth,  being  that 
Kings  and  Princes  might  have  been  taught 
to  be  so  wary  by  this  Exemple,  as  not  to 
suffer  themselves  to  be  imposed  upon  and 
abused,  as  they  very  often  are  :  but  no  body 
would  have  the  great  ones  learn  to  be  too 
wise,  for  then  they  could  not  play  their  own 
Games  with  them  so  well,  as  they  commonly 
do.  I  shall  therefore  let  it  alone,  both  for 
that  I  do  not  pretend  to  record  the  faults  of 
other  men,  as  also  because  I  had  no  hand  in 
these  transactions,  and  shall  only  write  my 
own  Fortunes  to  serve  for  instruction  to 
such  as  shall  follow  after,  that  the  little 
Montlucs  my  sons  have  left  me  may  look 
with  some  kind  of  Glory  into  the  life  of  their 
Grandfather,  and  aim  at  honorable  things 
by  his  Exemple. 

The  Skirmish  of  the  Maddalena 

But  to  return  to  the  landing  of  the  Prince  of 
Navarre,  because  there  was  something  of 
Action  there  performed  wherein  I  had  a 
share,  I  shall  give  an  account  of  that 
business.  Captain  Artiguelaube  (who  was 
Colonel  of  five  Gascon  Ensigns  which  were 
wont  to  be  under  Monsieur  de  Luppee,  and 
of  five  others  commanded  by  the  Baron  de 


THE   MADDALENA  73 

Beam)  was  commanded,  as  also  was  Captain 
de  Buch,  eldest  son  of  the  family  of  Candale, 
to  draw  down  to  that  place,  and  1  also  (poor 
wretch  as  I  was)  was  one  of  the  number. 
So  soon  as  we  were  got  down  to  the  shore, 
the  Marquess  left  all  our  Pikes  behind  a 
great  Rampire,  which  the  Count  Pedro  de 
Navarre  had  caused  to  be  cast  up,  and  that 
extended  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left 
for  about  half  a  mile  in  length.  Close  ad- 
joyning  to  this  was  a  great  Portal  of  Stone, 
through  which  ten  or  twelve  men  might 
march  a  breast,  and  that  I  do  believe  had 
been  a  Gate  in  former  times,  for  the  Arch 
and  other  marks  thereof  were  still  remaining  ; 
to  the  cheeks  of  which  Portal,  our  Rampire 
was  brought  up,  both  on  the  one  side  and 
the  other.  Our  Battaillon  was  drawn  up 
about  an  hundred  paces  distant  from  this 
Portal,  the  Black  Regiments  some  three 
hundred  paces  behind  ours,  and  the  greatest 
part  of  the  Horse  yet  further  behind  them. 
Monsieur  le  Marquis,  Monsieur  le  Captau, 
the  Count  Hugues,  Captain  Artiguelaube, 
and  almost  all  the  Captains,  as  well  Italians  as 
Gascons  along  with  them,  went  down  as  well 
to  facilitate  as  to  be  present  at  the  Princes 
Landing  ;  which  said  Seigneur  Captau  had 
six  Ensigns,  three  of  Piedmontoise  and  three 


74  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

of  Gascons.  They  were  so  long  about  their 
landing  that  they  were  staid  three  long 
hours  ;  for  they  made  the  Prince  to  stay  and 
dine  aboard  before  he  came  out  of  the 
Galley  :  a  little  delay  sometimes  occasions  a 
great  mischief,  and  it  had  been  better  that 
both  he  and  all  the  company  with  him  had 
made  a  good  sober  fast  ;  but  the  vanity  of 
the  world  is  such  that  they  think  themselves 
undervalued  if  they  do  not  move  in  all  the 
formalities  of  State,  and  in  so  doing  commit 
very  often  very  great  errors.  It  were  more 
convenient  to  move  in  the  Equipage  of  a 
simple  Gentleman  only,  and  not  to  Prince  it 
at  that  rate,  but  to  do  well,  than  to  stand 
upon  such  frivolous  punctillios  and  be  the 
cause  of  any  misadventure  or  disorder. 

Captain  Artiguelaube  in  the  mean  time  had 
plac'd  me  with  threescore  or  fourscore 
Harquebusiers  upon  the  cross  of  a  high  way 
very  near  to  the  Magdaleine,  which  is  a  great 
Church  some  hundred  or  two  hundred  paces 
distant  from  the  Gates  of  Naples  ;  and  upon 
another  cross  of  the  high  way,  on  the  left 
hand  of  me,  where  there  stood  a  little 
Oratory,  two  or  three  hundred  Harquebusiers 
of  the  black  Regiments,  with  an  Ensign  of 
Pikes  ;  In  the  same  place  also,  and  a  little 
on  the  one  side,  was  plac'd  the  Company  of 


THE    MADDALENA  75 

Seigneur  de  Candale,  consisting  of  two  or 
three  hundred  Harquebusiers,  about  two 
hundred  paces  distant  from  and  just  over 
against  the  place  where  I  stood.  Being  thus 
upon  my  Guard  I  saw  both  horse  and  foot 
issuing  out  of  Naples,  and  coming  full  drive 
to  gain  the  Magdaleine  ;  whereupon  mount- 
ing a  little  Mule  that  I  had,  I  gallop'd 
straight  down  to  the  water  side.  All 
the  Lords  and  Gentlemen  were  as  yet 
on  board,  caressing  and  complementing  one 
another,  to  whom  by  certain  Skippers  that 
were  plying  too  and  again  betwixt  the 
Gallies  and  the  Shoar  I  caus'd  it  to  be 
cry'd  out  that  the  Enemy  was  sallying  out 
of  the  Town  by  whole  Troops  to  intercept 
them  and  to  recover  the  blind  of  the 
Magdaleine,  and  that  they  should  think  of 
fighting,  if  they  so  pleased  ;  an  intelligence 
at  which  some  were  basely  down  in  the  mouth, 
for  everyone  that  sets  a  good  face  on  the 
matter  has  no  great  stomach  to  fight.  I 
presently  return'd  back  to  my  men,  and  went 
up  straight  to  the  Magdaleine,  from  whence 
I  discover'd  the  Enemies  Horse  sallying  out 
dismounted,  with  the  bridles  in  the  one  hand 
and  their  Launces  in  the  other,  stooping  as 
much  as  they  could  to  avoid  being  seen,  as 
also  did  the   Foot,    who  crept    on    all    four 


76  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

behind  the  walls  that  enclosed  the  backside 
of  the  Church  :  I  then  presently  gave  my 
Mule  to  a  Soldier,  bidding  him  ride  in  all 
hast  to  acquaint  Monsieur  de  Candale  and 
Captain  Artiguelaube  therewith,  whom  he 
found  already  got  on  shore,  and  who  upon 
my  first  advertisement  had  caus'd  a  Galley 
to  put  out  to  Sea,  from  whence  they  dis- 
cover'd  all  that  1  had  told  them,  which  being 
in  the  Port  they  could  not  possibly  do. 
This  Galley  upon  the  fight  presently  began 
to  let  fly  whole  broad-sides  of  Canon  at  us, 
one  whereof  kill'd  two  men  of  my  Company 
close  by  me,  and  so  near  that  the  brains  both 
of  the  one  and  the  other  flew  into  my 
face.  There  was  very  great  danger  in  that 
place,  for  all  the  bullets  as  well  of  this 
Galley  as  of  the  others  which  did  the  same 
play'd  directly  into  the  place  where  I  was, 
insomuch  that  seeing  them  still  to  continue 
their  shot  (for  those  of  the  Gallies  took  us 
for  the  Enemy)  I  was  constrained  to  draw 
off  my  men  into  the  ditches  to  secure 
them. 

In  the  meantime  they  mounted  the  Prince 
in  all  hast  on  horseback  and  made  him  to 
save  himself  full  speed  towards  the  Camp, 
all  his  Gentlemen  running  after  on  foot. 
They  had  no  great  leisure  to  stay  with  us. 


THE   MADDALENA  77 

for  I  believe  being  so  lately  come  they  had 
no  mind  to  dye.  Their  hast  was  so  great 
that  they  had  no  time  to  land  either  the 
Princes  Baggage  or  his  Bed,  and  there  were 
some  who  were  wise  enough  to  keep  them- 
selves aboard  the  Gallies.  But  the  Seigneur 
de  Candale  and  Count  Hugues  were  men  of 
another  sort  of  mettle,  and  staid  upon  the 
cross  high  way  where  their  men  had  been 
plac'd  before  ;  and  Captain  Artiguelaube 
went  to  the  Battaillon  that  was  drawn  up 
behind  the  Rampire.  The  Game  began 
with  me,  and  I  do  not  know  whether  it  be 
my  good  or  my  evil  fortune  but  so  it  is  that 
in  all  places  where  I  have  been  that  I  have 
evermore  found  my  self  in  the  thickest  of 
the  blows  and  there  where  the  business  ever 
first  began.  Now  a  Band  of  Harquebusiers 
came  directly  towards  me,  running  :  and  that 
because  I  had  plac'd  one  part  of  my  Harque- 
busiers behind  a  ditch  bank  that  borders  all 
along  upon  the  high  way,  and  the  rest  on  the 
right  and  left  hand  in  the  ditches  in  file  (which 
1  did  more  for  fear  of  the  Artillery  that  plaid 
from  our  own  Gallies  than  for  any  appre- 
hension of  the  Enemy)  and  came  within 
twenty  paces  of  us,  where  we  entertain'd 
them  with  a  smart  voUy  of  all  our  shot,  by 
which  five  or  six  of  their  men  fell  dead  upon 


78  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  ground,  and  the  rest  took  their  heels 
and  fled,  we  following  after  as  far  as  the 
Magdaleine.  There  they  rally ed,  and  with- 
drew from  the  high  way  on  their  right  hand 
and  on  that  side  where  Monsieur  de  Lavall  of 
Dauphin^  stood  with  his  Company  of  Gens- 
d'Armes,  he  was  Nephew  to  Monsieur  de 
Bayard  and  Father  to  Madame  de  Gordes, 
who  is  at  this  time  living  and  a  very  valiant 
Gentleman.  Monsieur  de  Candalle,  who  had 
seen  my  Charge,  and  saw  that  the  Enemy 
now  all  discover'd  themselves,  and  that  both 
Horse  and  Foot  drew  into  a  great  Meadow 
where  Monsieur  de  Lavall  stood ;  fearing 
they  might  charge  me  again,  he  sent  me  a 
supply  of  fifty  Harquebusiers,  just  at  the 
time  when  a  Battaillon  of  German  Foot  pre- 
sented themselves  within  twenty  paces  on  my 
right  hand.  The  Spanish  Harquebusiers  in 
the  meantime  fir'd  with  great  fury  upon  our 
Gens-d'Armes,  who  began  to  draw  off  at  a 
good  round  trot  towards  the  high  way 
possessed  by  Monsieur  de  Candalle,  where 
there  was  a  great  oversight  committed,  which 
I  will  also  give  an  account  of,  that  such  as 
shall  read  it  may  take  use  of  the  exemple 
when  the  chance  of  War  (as  at  one  time  or 
another  it  may)  shall  perhaps  reduce  them  to 
the  same  condition. 


THE   MADDALENA  79 

Count  Hugues  and  Monsieur  de  Candalle 
had  drawn  up  their  Pikes  upon  the  great 
Road  without  leaving  room  for  the  Cavalry 
to  retire,  and  there  was  a  necessity  that 
Monsieur  de  Lavall  must,  in  spite  of  his 
heart,  pass  that  way,  for  betwixt  Monsieur 
de  Candalle  and  me  there  was  a  great  ditch 
that  Horse  could  not  possibly  get  over. 
Had  they  left  the  Road  open,  and  drawn 
themselves  up  in  Battalia  behind  the  ditch, 
they  might  have  given  a  stop  to  the  Enemies 
fury,  and  by  that  means  Monsieur  de  Lavall 
might  at  great  ease  have  got  off  along  by  the 
high  way  and  have  made  an  honourable 
retreat.  So  soon  as  the  Enemy  saw  that 
Monsieur  de  Lavall  was  forced  to  his  Trot 
they  presently  charg'd  him  both  in  flank 
and  rear,  with  both  Horse  and  Foot  at  once, 
when  having  thrown  himself  into  the  Road 
to  get  clear  of  this  storm,  he  encountered 
these  Pikes  upon  his  way,  where  he  was 
constrained  against  his  will  to  force  his  way 
thorough,  and  in  so  doing  bore  down  and 
trampled  under  foot  all  that  stood  before 
him  ;  for  our  Pikes  were  drawn  up  so  close 
that  they  had  no  room  to  open.  This  put 
all  into  confusion,  and  I  was  ready  to  run 
mad  to  see  so  great  an  absurdity  committed, 
yet  is  not  the  blame  justly  to  be  laid  upon 


8o  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Monsieur  de  Candalle,  he  being  very  young, 
and  having  never  been  upon  such  a  service 
before  ;  but  Count  Hugues  is  highly  to 
be  condemned,  who  was  an  old  Soldier  and 
understood  the  discipline  of  War  ;  yet  I  will 
not  say  but  that  he  behaved  himself  with 
very  great  bravery  in  his  own  person  :  but 
it  is  not  enough  to  be  bold  and  hardy, 
a  man  must  also  be  wise  and  foresee  all 
that  can  happen,  forasmuch  as  oversights 
are  irreparable  in  matters  of  Arms,  and  small 
faults  are  oftentimes  the  occasion  of  very 
great  losses,  as  it  happened  here  to  him, 
who  had  not  provided  against  all  adventures  : 
For  he  was  himself  taken  prisoner,  as  also 
Monsieur  de  Candalle,  being  wounded  in 
his  arm  with  a  Harquebuze  shot.  Three 
days  after,  the  Enemy  seeing  he  was  not 
likely  to  live,  sent  him  back  to  Monsieur 
de  Lautrec,  who  was  his  Kinsman,  and  the 
next  day  he  died  and  was  buried  at  Bresse. 

He  was  a  brave,  and  a  worthy  young 
man  as  ever  came  out  of  the  house  of  Foix, 
and  would  in  time  doubtless  have  been  a 
great  Soldier,  had  he  lived  to  hold  on  as 
he  had  begun.  I  never  knew  man  so 
industrious  and  desirous  to  learn  the 
practice  of  Arms  of  the  old  Captains  as 
this  Lord  was.     To  which  effect  he  rendred 


THE   MADDALENA  8i 

himself  as  obsequious  to  the  Court  Pedro 
de  Navarre  as  the  meanest  of  his  Servants. 
He  was  inquisitive  into  the  reasons  of  things, 
and  informed  himself  of  all,  without  fooling 
away  his  time  about  trifles  that  otlier  young 
men  covet  and  love  :  and  was  more  frequent 
at  the  Quarters  of  the  Court  Pedro  de 
Navarre  than  at  those  of  Monsieur  de 
Lautrec  ;  insomuch  that  the  Count  would 
always  say  he  was  there  training  up  a  great 
Captain.  And  in  truth  when  he  was  brought 
back  into  the  Camp,  the  said  Count  kiss'd 
him  with  tears  in  his  eyes.  It  was  a  very 
great  loss  to  him.  All  who  were  at  the  same 
post  were  either  kill'd  or  taken,  some 
excepted  who  saved  themselves  by  the 
ditches,  leaping  from  ditch  to  ditch,  but 
these  were  very  few,  for  the  Enemy  pursued 
their  victory  on  that  side  very  well. 

1  on  my  side  began  to  march  along  by  the 
side  of  a  hedg,  with  my  face  still  towards 
the  German  Foot,  the  lesser  evil  of  the  two, 
and  by  good  fortune  both  for  me  and  my 
Company,  the  Enemy  in  my  rear  pursued  us 
coldly  enough.  At  my  coming  to  the  Portal 
I  spoke  of  before,  I  there  found  a  great  Troop 
of  the  Enemies  Horse,  commanded  by  Don 
Ferdinando  de  Gonzaga  (for  it  was  he  who 
gave   the    charge)    so   that   to   recover   the 

F 


82  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Portal  I  must  of  necessity  fight  with  a 
resolution  either  to  pass  thorough  or  die. 
I  made  my  men  therefore  to  give  them  a 
volly  of  Harquebuze  shot,  for  I  for  my 
part  had  nothing  wherewith  to  fight  but  my 
voice  ;  upon  which  volly  they  made  me 
way,  so  that  having  pass'd  the  portal,  I  fac'd 
about  and  stood  firm.  At  which  time  their 
Harquebusiers  also  came  up,  who  at  once 
altogether  charged  upon  us  with  all  their 
united  power  both  of  Horse  and  Foot  ;  when 
seeing  this  torrent  coming  upon  me,  I  re- 
cover'd  the  back  side  of  the  Trench,  with  my 
Harquebusiers  only,  who  had  saved  them- 
selves from  the  first  encounter  ;  which  the 
Marquess  seeing,  he  was  in  so  great  a  per- 
plexity that  he  gave  us  all  over  for  lost.  I 
there  disputed  the  portal  a  long  half  hour 
from  the  back  side  of  the  Trench,  for  it 
remained  free  as  well  on  their  side  as  on 
ours  ;  they  durst  not  attempt  to  pass,  neither 
did  we  dare  to  approach  it.  If  ever  Soldiers 
plaid  the  men,  these  did  it  at  this  time  ; 
for  all  that  I  had  with  me  could  not  arise  to 
above  an  hundred  and  fifty  men.  The 
Marquess  then  came  up  to  Captain 
Arteguelaube,  to  make  him  rise,  they  being 
all  couched  upon  one  knee,  for  had  they 
stood  upright    the   Spanish    Foot   had  had 


THE    MADDALENA  83 

them     in    their    aim,   and    cryed    to    him 

*  Captain  Arteguelaube,  I  beseech  you   rise, 

*  and  charge,  for  we  must  of  necessity  pass 

*  the  Portal '  :  But  he  returned  him  answer 
that  he  could  not  do  it  without  losing  the 
best  of  our  men,  as  it  was  very  true,  for  all 
the  Spanish  Foot  were  then  come  up.  I 
was  close  by  the  Portal,  and  heard  all  ;  but 
the  Marquess,  not  satisfied  with  this  answer, 
spurred  up  to  the  black  Regiments,  com- 
manding them  to  march  up  towards  the 
Portal,  which  they  accordingly  did.  I  knew 
by  the  manner  of  their  motion  what 
command  they  had  received,  which  was 
the  reason  that  I  stept  out  and  cried  to 
Captain  Arteguelaube,   *  Comrade,   you   are 

*  about  to  be  disgraced  for  ever,  for  here  are 

*  the  Black  Regiments,  that,  upon  my  life, 

*  are  making  towards  the  Portal,  to  carry  away 

*  the  honor  of  the  service  ' ;  at  which  words  he 
started  up  (for  the  man  wanted  no  courage) 
and  ran  full  drive  towards  the  Portal,  when 
seeing  him  come,  I  suddenly  threw  myself 
before  the  Portal,  and  passed  with  all  those 
who  followed  me,  marching  straight  towards 
the  Enemy,  who  were  not  above  a  hundred 
paces  distant  from  us  ;  we  were  immediately 
followed  by  the  Foot,  sent  by  the  Marquess  : 
but  as  we   were  half  passed  thorough,  the 


84  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Marquess  gave  the  word  from  hand  to  hand, 
to  make  a  halt,  and  to  advance  no  further. 
The  Enemy  seeing  us  come  on  with  such 
resolution,  and  the  Cavalry  following  in  our 
Rear,  thought  it  the  wisest  course  to  retire. 
1  was  by  this  time  advanced  where  we  were 
plying  one  another  with  good  round  vollies 
of  shot  at  fifty  paces  distance,  and  we  had 
a  good  mind  to  fall  on  to  the  Sword,  when 
the  Marquess  and  another  Gentleman  with 
him  came  himself  on  horseback  to  stay  me. 
I  think  he  did  ill  in  it  ;  for  had  we  all  passed 
thorough,  we  had  certainly  pursued  them 
fighting  up  to  the  very  Gates  of 
Naples.  There  was  in  this  place  very  many 
on  both  sides  beaten  to  the  ground,  that 
never  rose  again,  and  I  admire  how  I  escaped, 
but  my  hour  was  not  come. 

That  which  occasioned  the  Marquess  to 
retire  was  the  fear  he  had  of  tempting 
fortune  a  second  time ;  he  was  contented 
with  what  he  had  already  lost,  without  being 
willing  to  hazard  any  more,  so  that  tired  out 
and  over  spent,  we  return'd  to  repass  the 
Portal  that  had  been  so  long  disputed,  where 
a  great  many  good  men  lay  dead  upon  the 
place.  There  it  was  that  the  Gentleman 
who  was  with  the  Marquess,  when  he  came 
to  command  me  to  retire,  I  have  forgot  his 


THE   MADDALENA  85 

name,  said  to  him  (for  I  heard  him  very 
well)  *  Monsieur,  I  now  see  that  the  antient 

*  proverb  is  true,  which  says  that  one  man  is 

*  worth  an  hundred,  and  an  hundred  are  not 

*  so  good  as  one  :   I  speak  it  by  this  Captain 

*  who  has  his  arm  in  a  scarf,  and  leans  to  the 
'  Rampire  (for  in  truth  I  was  quite  spent),  for 
'  it  must  needs  be  acknowledged,  that  he  is 
'  the  only  cause  of  our  preservation.'  I 
heard  likewise  well  enough,  though  I  took 
no  notice  of  it,  the  Marquess  make  him  this 
answer.  '  That  man  will  always  do  well 
'wherever  he  is.'  A  passage  that  although 
it  be  to  my  honor  and  my  own  commen- 
dation I  would  however  insert  it  here, 
without  bragging  nevertheless,  or  vain  glory 
I  have  acquir'd  honor  enough  besides  :  but 
this  may  perhaps  serve  to  excite  the  other 
Captains,  who  shall  read  my  Life,  to  do  the 
same  upon  the  like  occasion.  And  I  must 
needs  confess  that  I  was  then  better  pleased 
with  this  Character  that  this  Gentleman  and 
the  said  Marquess  were  pleased  to  give  of  me, 
than  if  he  had  given  me  the  best  Mannor 
in  his  possession,  though  I  was  at  that  time 
very  poor.  This  commendation  made  my 
heart  to  swell  with  courage,  and  yet  more 
when  I  was  told  that  some  one  had  enter- 
tained Monsieur  de  Lautrec  and  the  Prince 


86  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

with  the  same  discourse  all  the  time  they  sate 
at  Supper.  These  little  points  of  honor 
serve  very  much  in  matters  of  War,  and  are 
the  cause  that  when  a  man  shall  again  happen 
to  be  in  the  like  service,  he  fears  nothing  : 
it  is  very  true  that  men  are  sometimes 
mistaken,  and  gain  nothing  but  blows  :  but 
there  is  no  remedy  for  that,  we  must  give 
and  take. 

You  Captains,  and  Lords  who  lead  men 
on  to  death  (for  War  is  nothing  else)  when 
you  shall  see  a  brave  act  performed  by  any 
of  your  fellows,  commend  him  in  publick, 
and  moreover  relate  it  to  others  who  were 
not  present  at  the  service  :  if  his  heart  sit 
in  a  right  place,  he  will  value  such  a 
testimony  more  than  all  the  treasure  of  the 
world,  and  upon  the  next  occasion  will 
strive  to  do  still  better.  But  if  (as  too  many 
do)  you  shall  not  deign  to  regard  or  to  take 
notice  of  the  bravest  exploit  can  by  man  be 
performed,  and  look  upon  all  things  with  an 
eye  of  disdain,  you  will  find  that  you  must 
recompense  them  by  effects,  since  you  would 
not  vouchsafe  to  do  it  by  word  of  mouth. 
I  have  ever  treated  the  Captains  so  who 
have  been  under  my  command,  and  even 
the  meanest  of  my  Soldiers  ;  by  which  they 
thought  themselves  so  obliged  that  I  could 


THE    MILLS   OF  AURIOLLE    87 

have  made  them  run  their  heads  against  a 
wall,  and  have  stood  firm  in  the  most 
dangerous  post  in  the  world  as  (for  exemple) 
I  did  here. 

The  Affair  of  the  Mills  of  Auriolle 

Whilst  the  Emperor  lay  very  long  at  Aix, 
in  expectation  of  his  great  Canon,  wherewith 
to  come  and  batter  the  walls  of  Marselles, 
his  provisions  did  every  day  more  and  more 
wast  and  diminish.  In  which  point  of  time 
the  King  arriv'd  at  Avignon,  where  His 
Majesty  was  advertised  that  if  means  could 
be  made  to  destroy  some  Mills  the  Emperor 
had  seiz'd  into  his  hands  towards  Aries,  and 
especially  one  within  four  Leagues  of  Aix, 
called  the  Mill  of  Auriolle,  the  Enemies 
Camp  would  soon  suffer  for  want  of  bread. 
Upon  which  advice  the  King  committed  the 
execution  of  the  burning  of  those  Mills 
about  Aries  to  the  Baron  de  la  Garde,  who 
had  a  Company  of  Foot,  to  Captain  Thorines 
Standard-bearer  to  the  Count  de  Tandes, 
and  some  others,  who  accordingly  executed 
the  design.  Which  notwithstanding  the  Spies 
still  brought  word  to  the  King  that  he  must 
also  burn  those  of  Auriolle  ;  forasmuch  as 
they    alone    ordinarily    nourished    not    the 


88  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Emperors  whole  household  only,  but  more- 
over the  six  thousand  old  Spanish  Foot 
which  he  always  kept  about  his  own  person. 
His  Majesty  sent  therefore  several  times  to 
Messieurs  de  Barbezieux,  and  de  Montpezat 
to  hazard  a  Regiment  of  men  to  go  and 
burn  the  said  Mills  of  AurioUe. 

The  first  to  whom  they  recommended 
the  execution  thereof,  was  to  the  foresaid 
Christophle  le  Goast,  who  positively  refused 
to  undertake  it,  alledging  that  it  was  five 
Leagues  to  the  aforesaid  Mills,  where  they 
were  to  fight  threescore  Guards  that  were 
within  it,  and  an  entire  Company  that  were 
quartered  in  the  Town,  so  that  he  should  have 
five  Leagues  to  go,  and  as  many  to  return, 
by  means  whereof  he  should  going  or  coming 
be  infallibly  defeated  upon  the  way,  for  the 
Emperor  could  not  fail  of  intelligence,  it 
being  no  more  than  four  leagues  only  from 
the  said  AurioUe  to  Aix  ;  and  on  the  other 
side  the  Soldiers  would  never  be  able  to 
travel  ten  long  leagues  without  baiting  by  the 
way.  This  answer  was  sent  back  to  the 
King,  who  notwithstanding  would  not  take 
it  tor  currant  pay  ;  but  on  the  contrary  sent 
another  more  positive  order  than  the  former 
that  it  should  be  proposed  to  some  others, 
and  that  though  a  thousand  men  should  be 


THE   MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE    89 

lost  In  the  Enterprize,  yet  let  them  not 
concern  themselves,  for  the  benefit  that 
would  accrue  by  burning  the  Mills  would 
countervail  the  loss  (such  easie  Markets 
Princes  make  of  the  lives  of  men). 

Whereupon  it  was  offer 'd  to  Monsieur  de 
Fonterailles,  who  was  once  in  mind  to 
undertake  it  :  but  some  of  his  friends 
representing  to  him  his  certain  ruine  in  the 
attempt,  he  piss'd  backwards,  and  would 
by  no  means  touch.  All  which  being  sent 
word  of  to  His  Majesty  (who  continually 
had  the  manifest  advantage  the  destroying 
of  the  other  Mills  had  brought  to  His 
Majesties  affaires  reminded  to  him)  he  still 
persisted  to  press  the  aforesaid  Lords  to 
send  some  one  or  another  to  demolish  these. 
Now  one  day,  after  I  had  heard  how  dis- 
contented the  King  was,  and  the  excuses  that 
had  been  alledg'd  by  those  to  whom  it  had 
hitherto  been  recommended  (which  in  truth 
were  very  rational,  and  just),  I  began  to 
meditate  with  myself  which  way  I  might 
execute  this  design,  and  to  consider  that  if 
God  would  give  me  the  grace  to  bring  it 
about,  it  would  be  a  means  to  bring  me  to 
the  knowledg  of  the  King,  and  to  restore 
me  to  the  same  reputation  and  acquaintance 
I  had  formerly  acquir'd  ;  and  that  now  by 


90         BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

three  years  idleness,  and  the  length  of  my 
cure,  was  as  good  as  vanish'd  and  lost  :  for 
it  is  nothing  to  get  a  good  repute  if  a  man 
do  not  uphold  and  improve  it.  Having 
therefore  taken  with  my  self  a  resolution  to 
execute  this  design,  or  to  die  in  the  attempt  : 
I  enform'd  myself  at  full  of  my  Landlord 
of  the  scituation  and  condition  of  the  place 
where  these  Mills  were  ;  who  told  me  that 
Auriolle  was  a  little  Town  enclos'd  with  high 
walls,  where  there  was  a  Castle  well  fortified, 
and  a  Bourg  composed  of  many  houses,  with 
a  fair  street  thorough  the  middle  of  it,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  said  Bourg,  which  led  from 
the  Town  towards  the  Mill,  was  a  little  on  the 
left  hand  the  Mill  itself  That  at  the  Gate 
of  the  said  Town  there  was  a  Tower  which 
look'd  directly  down  the  great  street  towards 
the  Mill,  before  which  no  man  could  stand 
without  running  great  hazard  of  being 
either  slain,  or  wounded  ;  and  that  beyond 
the  Mill  was  a  little  Church  at  the  distance 
of  about  thirty  or  forty  paces.  He  told  me, 
moreover,  that  I  was  to  go  to  Ambaigne, 
two  Leagues  from  Marselles,  and  that  from 
thence  to  Auriolle,  it  was  three  more  if  we 
went  by  the  Mountains,  which  the  Horse 
could  not  possibly  do,  but  must  be  con- 
strained to  go   near  upon  a  League  about. 


THE   MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE    91 

where  they  were  moreover  to  pass  a  River 
that  was  deep  to  the  Saddle  skirts,  by- 
reason  that  the  Bridges  had  been  broken 
down. 

My  Landlord  having  told  me  all  this, 
I  consider'd  that  if  I  should  undertake  this 
affair  with  a  great  party  I  should  be 
defeated  ;  for  the  place  being  only  four 
Leagues  distant  from  the  Emperor's  Camp 
he  would  have  present  intelligence,  and 
would  send  out  his  Horse  to  intercept  me 
in  my  return,  as  it  also  fell  out  ;  for  im- 
mediately upon  our  coming  to  the  Mill, 
the  Captain  of  the  Castle  dispatch 'd  away 
in  all  hast  to  the  Emperor.  So  that  I 
conceiv'd  it  much  better  for  me  to  undertake 
it  with  a  small  number  of  men,  and  those 
light  and  active  fellows  ;  to  the  end  that  if 
I  did  the  work  I  went  for,  I  might  either 
have  means  to  retire  by  one  way  or  another  ; 
or  at  the  worst  if  I  should  throw  my  self 
away,  and  those  who  were  with  me,  yet  they 
being  but  a  few,  the  City  of  Marselles  would 
by  that  miscarriage  be  in  no  manner  of 
danger  to  be  lost,  which  was  the  thing  most 
disputed  in  the  Council  ;  whereas  by  losing 
a  thousand  or  twelve  hundred  men,  which 
were  thought  a  necessary  proportion  for 
such  an  Enterprize,  the  said  City  might  be 


92  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

expos'd  to  some  danger,  especially  in  a  time 
when  they  expected  a  Siege. 

I  then  desir'd  my  Landlord  to  provide 
me  three  fellows,  who  were  expert  in  the 
ways,  to  guide  me  by  night  to  the  said 
AurioUe,  and  so  that,  as  near  as  could  be 
guess'd,  they  should  bring  me  to  the  Mills 
two  hours  before  day  ;  which  he  accordingly 
did,  when  after  having  some  time  consulted 
with  them,  I  found  the  men  were  fearful 
and  loth  to  go  :  but  at  last  mine  Host  so 
encourag'd  them  that  they  were  all  resolved  ; 
whereupon  I  gave  to  each  of  them  a  brace 
of  Crowns,  and  caused  them  to  be  kept  up 
in  my  lodging  which  was  about  Noon  ;  and 
having  computed  with  my  Landlord  how 
many  hours  the  nights  were  then  long,  we 
found  that,  provided  1  should  set  out  about 
the  twilight,  I  should  have  time  enough  to 
do  my  business. 

All  this  being  done,  that  my  design  might 
not  be  known,  I  went  my  self  first  to 
Monsieur  de  Montpezat  to  acquaint  him 
with  what  I  intended  to  do  ;  and  moreover 
that  I  was  resolved  to  take  with  me  no  more 
than  six  score  men  only,  which  I  would 
choose  out  of  the  Seneschall's  Regiment,  to 
which  I  was  Lieutenant  Colonel.  In  all 
places   wherever    I    have  been    I   have  still 


THE    MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE    93 

made  it  my  study  to  discern  betwixt  the 
good  men  and  the  bad,  and  to  judg  what 
they  were  able  to  do  ;  for  all  men  are  not 
proper  for  all  uses. 

The  said  Sieur  de  Montpezat  thought  my 
resolution  very  strange,  and  out  of  friendship 
advis'd  me  not  to  do  so  ridiculous  a  thing  as 
to  hazard  my  self  with  so  few  men  ;  telling 
me  that  I  might  as  well  have  five  hundred  if 
1  would.  To  which  I  made  answer  that  I 
would  never  demand  five  hundred  men  for 
the  execution  of  an  Enterprise  that  I  could 
better  perform  with  six  score,  and  tormented 
him  so  that  in  the  end  he  was  constrained  to 
go  along  with  me  to  Monsieur  de  Barbezieux 
who  yet  thought  it  more  strange  than  the 
other,  and  would  needs  know  of  me  my 
reasons  and  by  what  means  I  would  execute 
this  design  with  so  few  people.  To  whom  I 
made  answer  that  I  would  not  declare  to  any 
one  living  which  way  I  intended  to  proceed  : 
but  that  nevertheless  (if  they  so  pleased)  I 
would  undertake  it.  Whereupon  Monsieur 
de  Montpezat  said  to  him,  '  let  him  go  ;  for 
'  though  he  should  be  lost,  and  all  those  with 

*  him,  the  City  will  not  for  that  be  in  the  more 

*  danger  to  be  lost,  and  it  will  give  His  Majesty 

*  content.'  Monsieur  de  Villebon  who  was 
present    at    the    deliberation,   laugh'd    and 


94  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

jeer'd  at  me,  saying  to  Monsieur  de 
Barbezieux,  *  let  him  go,  he  will  infallibly  take 

*  the  Emperor,  and  we  shall  all  be  ashamed, 

*  when  we  see  him  bring  him  into  the  City  to- 

*  morrow  morning.'  Now  this  man  did  not 
love  me  for  some  words  that  had  passed 
betwixt  us  at  the  Port  Royal  ;  neither  could 
I  forbear  to  tell  him  that  he  was  like  a  dog 
in  a  manger,  that  would  neither  eat  himself 
nor  suffer  others.  All  was  pass'd  over  in 
jest,  though  in  plain  truth  I  was  half  angry, 
for  a  little  spurring  would  serve  to  make  me 
start.  The  Seneschal  de  Tholouse,  my 
Colonel,  adhear'd  to  my  opinion,  where- 
upon I  had  immediate  leave  granted  me  to 
go  choose  out  my  six  score  men  and  no 
more,  which  I  did,  taking  only  one  Centenier, 
and  a  Corporal,  the  rest  were  all  Gentlemen 
and  so  brave  a  Company  that  they  were 
better  than  five  hundred  others.  It  is  not  all 
to  have  a  great  number  of  men,  they  some- 
times do  more  hurt  than  good,  which  made 
me  entreat  Monsieur  de  Barbezieux  to  cause 
the  Gate  of  the  City  to  be  shut,  being  well 
assur'd  that  otherwise  I  should  have  had 
more  company  that  I  desir'd  ;  which  he  also 
did,  and  it  hapned  well  for  another  reason, 
for  in  less  than  an  hour  my  design  was  spread 
all  over  the  whole  City. 


THE    MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE    95 

Just  at  Sun-set,  I,  with  my  six  score  men, 
repair'd  to  the  Gate,  the  wicket  whereof  was 
only  open  :  but  the  street  was  so  full  of 
Soldiers  ready  to  go  out  with  me,  that  I  had 
much  ado  to  distinguish  my  own,  and  was 
therefore  constrained  to  make  them  all  take 
hands,  for  I  very  well  knew  them  every  one. 
As  I  was  going  out  of  the  Gate,  Monsieur  de 
Tavannes  (who  was  since  Mareschal  of 
France,  and  at  this  time  Standard-bearer  to 
the  Grand  Escuyer  Galliot)  came  to  me  with 
fifteen  or  twenty  Gentlemen  of  their  own 
Company,  telling  me  that  he  with  those 
friends  of  his  were  come  to  offer  themselves, 
resolved  to  run  all  hazards  with  me  in  the 
execution  of  my  design.  I  used  all  the  argu- 
ments I  could  to  divert  him  from  that  resolu- 
tion :  but  it  was  time  and  labour  lost ;  for 
both  he  and  those  with  him  were  all 
positively  resolv'd.  Messieurs  de  Barbezieux, 
de  Montpezat,  de  Boitieres,  de  Villebon,  and 
the  Seneschal  de  Tholouse,  were  all  without 
the  Gate  and  before  the  wicket,  drawing  us 
out  one  by  one,  when  Monsieur  de  Tavannes, 
offering  to  pass  Monsieur  de  Barbezieux 
would  not  permit  him,  telling  him  that  he 
should  be  none  of  the  party,  and  there  some 
words  and  a  little  anger  passed,  both  on  one 
side  and  the  other  :  but  Monsieur  de  Tavannes 


96  BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

overcame  at  last,  and  pass'd  the  wicket  ;  for 
which  cause  they  detain 'd  from  me  fifteen  or 
twenty  men  of  those  I  had  chosen  :  but  I  lost 
nothing  by  the  exchange,  only  these  disputes 
deferr'd  the  time  so  long  that  the  night  was 
shut  up  before  we  began  to  march. 
Monsieur  de  Castelpers,  Lieutenant  to 
Monsieur  de  Montpezat  (who  was  my  very 
particular  friend)  having  heard  how  I  had  been 
raill'd  andjeer'd  amongst  them,  determin'd 
to  get  to  horse,  with  some  fifteen  or  twenty 
men  at  arms  of  the  said  Company,  being  all 
very  well  mounted,  and  to  that  end  had  spoken 
to  Monsieur  de  Montpezat  at  his  going  out 
of  the  Gate,  to  entreat  him  that  he  would 
not  be  displeased  if  he  made  one  in  the 
Enterprize  ;  telling  him  that  I  was  a  Gascon, 
and  that  if  I  fail'd  in  the  attempt,  it  would 
beget  matter  of  sport  for  the  French,  and  they 
would  laugh  us  to  scorn.  Monsieur  de 
Montpezat  was  at  first  unwilling  to  it,  but 
seeing  him  begin  to  grow  into  a  little  heat,  at 
last  consented,  whereupon  he  presently  ran  to 
mount  to  horse,  and  there  might  be  nineteen 
or  twenty  of  the  party. 

Now  to  give  a  full  account  of  this  Enter- 
prize (which  although  it  was  not  the  conquest 
of  Millan,  may  nevertheless  be  of  some  use 
to  such  as  will  make  their  advantage  of  it),  so 


THE    MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE    97 

soon  as  we  came  to  the  Plan  St  Michel,  1 
gave  to  Captain  Belsoleil  (Centenier  to  our 
Company)  threescore  men  ;  and  threescore  I 
kept  for  my  self  (Monsieur  de  Tavannes  and 
his  followers  being  compriz'd  in  that  number) 
to  whom  I  also  deliver'd  a  good  Guide,  tell- 
ing him  withal  that  he  was  not  to  come  near 
me  by  a  hundred  paces,  and  that  we  would 
continually  march  at  a  good  round  rate.  Which 
order  being  given,  and  Monsieur  de  Tavannes 
and  I  beginning  to  set  forward,  up  comes 
Monsieur  de  Castelpers,  of  whose  deliberation 
we  till  then  knew  nothing,  forasmuch  as  it  had 
been  resolved  upon  at  the  very  moment  of  our 
going  out  at  the  wicket,  which  hindred  us 
another  long  half  hour  :  but  in  the  end  we 
agreed,  that  he  should  go  the  Horse  way,  and 
gave  him  another  of  my  Guides,  which  he 
mounted  behind  one  of  his  men  ;  so  that  we 
had  three  parties,  and  to  every  party  a  Guide. 
At  our  parting  1  gave  him  instructions  that 
so  soon  as  he  should  arrive  at  the  end  of  the 
Bourg,  he  should  draw  up  behind  the  Church, 
for  should  they  enter  into  the  street  the 
Company  quarter'd  in  the  Town  would  either 
kill  them  or  their  horses  ;  and  that  therefore  he 
was  not  to  appear  till  first  he  heard  us  engag'd. 
We  now  began  to  set  forward,  and  marched 
all  night,  where  as  far  as  Aubaigne  we  found 
G 


98  BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  way  to  be  exceeding  good  :  but  from 
thence  to  Auriolle  we  were  fain  to  crawl  over 
the  sides  of  Mountains,  where,  I  believe, 
never  any  thing  but  Goats  had  gone  before  : 
by  which  abominable  way  having  got  within 
half  a  quarter  of  a  league  of  Auriolle,  I  made 
a  halt,  bidding  Monsieur  de  Tavannes  to 
stay  there  for  me,  for  I  must  go  speak  with 
Belsoleil.  I  therefore  went  back,  and  met 
him  within  a  hundred  paces  of  us,  or  less  ; 
where  speaking  to  him  and  his  Guide,  I  told 
him  that  when  he  should  arrive  at  the  Bourg 
he  was  by  no  means  to  follow  me,  but  to 
march  directly  to  the  Gate  of  the  Town,  be- 
twixt the  Bourg  and  the  said  Town,  and  there 
make  a  stand  at  the  Gate,  it  being  necessary 
that  he  should  gain  two  houses  next  adjoyn- 
ing  to  the  said  Gate,  which  he  must  suddainly 
break  into,  to  keep  the  Enemy  from  sallying 
out  to  disturb  us  ;  and  that  there  he  was 
to  stay  and  fight,  without  taking  any  care 
to  relieve  us  at  all  ;  after  which  order 
given  to  him,  I  moreover  past  the  word 
from  hand  to  hand  to  all  the  Soldiers, 
that  no  one  was  to  abandon  the  fight  at 
the  Gate  to  come  to  us  to  the  Mill  ;  but 
that  they  were  punctually  to  observe 
whatever  Captain  Belsoleil  should  command 
them. 


THE   MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE    99 

Returning  then  back  to  Monsieur  de 
Tavannes,  we  again  began  to  march,  when 
being  come  near  to  the  Castle,  under  which 
and  close  by  the  walls  of  the  Town  we 
were  of  necessity  to  pass,  their  Centinels 
twice  call'd  out  to  us,  Who  goes  there  ?  to 
which  we  made  no  answer  at  all,  but  still 
went  on  our  way,  till  coming  close  to  the 
Bourg,  we  left  the  way  that  Captain  Belsoleil 
was  to  take,  and  slipt  behind  the  houses  of 
the  said  Bourg,  when  being  come  to  the 
further  end  where  the  Mill  stood,  we  were 
to  descend  two  or  three  stone  steps  to  enter 
into  the  street,  where  we  found  a  Centinel, 
that  never  discover'd  us,  till  we  were  within 
a  Pikes  length  of  him,  and  then  he  cry'd 
out  '  Qui  vive  ? '  to  which  I  would  answer 
in  Spanish '  Espagne,'  (wherein  I  was  mistaken, 
for  the  word  was  not  Espagne  but  Impery) 
whereupon  without  more  ceremony  he  gave 
fire  ;  but  hit  nothing. 

The  alarm  being  by  this  means  given, 
Monsieur  de  Tavannes  and  I  threw  ourselves 
desperately  into  the  street,  and  were  bravely 
follow'd,  where  we  found  three  or  four 
of  the  Enemy  without  the  door  of  the  Mill  : 
but  they  immediately  ran  in.  The  door  of 
this  Mill  was  made  with  two  folding  leaves, 
both  of  which  were  to  be  bolted  fast  with  a 


loo        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

great  Iron  Baron  the  inside  ;  one  of  these  had  a 
great  Chest  behind  it,  and  the  other  the  fore- 
said Bar  held  more  than  half  shut,  and  had 
these  fellows  behind  it.  The  Mill  was  full  of 
men,  both  above  stairs  and  below  (for  there 
was  threescore  men  in  it,  with  the  Captain, 
who  had  no  dependence  upon  the  Governor  of 
the  Town,  each  of  them  having  his  command 
apart),  and  we  were  one  by  one  to  enter  this 
place. 

Monsieur  de  Tavannes  would  very  fain 
first  have  entered,  and  press'd  forward  with 
that  intent  ;  but  I  pulling  him  back  by  the 
arm,  withheld  him,  and  push'd  in  a  Soldier 
that  was  behind  me  :  the  Enemy  made  but 
two  Harquebuze  shot,  having  leisure  to  do 
no  more,  being  all  fast  asleep,  excepting 
these  three  or  four  who  had  been  placed  as 
Centinels  before  the  Mill  door  in  the  street. 
So  soon  as  the  Soldier  was  got  in,  I  said 
to  Monsieur  de  Tavannes,  now  enter  if  you 
will  ;  which  he  presently  did,  and  I  after 
him,  where  we  began  to  lay  about  us  to 
some  purpose,  there  being  no  more  but  one 
light  only  to  fight  by  within.  In  this  bustle, 
the  Enemy,  by  a  pair  of  stone  stairs  of 
indifferent  wideness,  recover'd  the  upper 
Room,  where  they  stoutly  defended  the  said 
stairs  from  the  floor  above,  whilst   I   in  the 


THE   MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE  loi 

meantime  sent  a  Soldier  to  tell  the  rest  that 
were  without  that  they  should  get  up  upon 
the  outside  of  the  Mill,  and  uncovering  the 
root,  shoot  down  upon  their  heads,  which 
was  immediately  perform'd ;  so  that  the 
Enemy,  perceiving  our  men  to  be  got  upon 
the  roof,  and  that  they  already  let  fly 
amongst  them,  they  began  to  throw  them- 
selves into  the  water  out  of  a  window  on  the 
backside  of  the  Mill  :  but  we  nevertheless 
mounted  the  stairs  and  kill'd  all  those  that 
remain'd,  the  Captain  excepted,  who  with 
two  wounds,  and  seven  others  all  wounded, 
were  taken  prisoners.  Hereupon  I  presently 
sent  one  away  to  Captain  Belsoleil,  to  bid 
him  take  courage  and  stoutly  to  dispute  the 
Gate  of  the  Town,  for  the  Mill  was  our  own. 
The  Alarm  in  the  mean  time  in  the  Town 
was  very  great,  and  those  within  three  times 
attempted  to  Sally  :  but  our  men  held  them 
so  short  that  they  durst  never  open  their 
Gates.  I  sent  Captain  Belsoleil  moreover 
most  of  my  men  to  assist  him,  and  in  the 
mean  time,  with  the  rest,  fell  to  burning  the 
Mill,  taking  away  all  the  Iron  work,  especially 
the  Spindles  and  Rinds,  that  it  might  not 
be  repair'd  again,  never  leaving  it  till  it  was 
entirely  burnt  down  to  the  ground,  and  the 
Mill-stones    rowl'd    into    the    River.     Now 


I02        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

you  must  know  that  Captain  Tavannes  took 
it  a  little  to  heart  that  I  had  pull'd  him 
back  by  the  arm,  and  ask'd  me  afterwards 
upon  our  returne  why  I  would  not  permit 
him  to  enter  the  first,  suspecting  I  had  more 
mind  to  give  the  honor  of  it  to  the  Soldiers  : 
to  whom  I  made  answer  that  I  knew  he  was 
not  yet  so  crafty  to  save  himself  as  those  old 
Soldiers  were  ;  and  that,  moreover,  that  was 
not  a  place  considerable  enough  for  a  man  of 
his  worth  and  condition  to  dye  in  ;  but  that 
he  was  to  reserve  himself  for  a  noble  breach, 
and  not  to  lose  his  life  in  a  paltry  Mill. 

Whilst  these  things  were  in  doing, 
Monsieur  de  Castelpers  arriv'd,  and  leaving 
his  party  behind  the  Church,  came  up  to  us 
on  foot,  and  upon  this  the  day  began  to 
appear  :  wherefore  I  entreated  Monsieur 
de  Tavannes  and  de  Castelpers  to  retire 
behind  the  Church  (for  the  shot  flew  very 
thick  in  the  street  where  they  could  see 
any  one  pass)  telling  them  that  I  would  go 
draw  off  Belsoleil ;  whereupon  they  both 
accordingly  retir'd,  and  as  1  was  drawing  off, 
our  men  one  after  another  running  down 
on  both  sides  the  street,  Monsieur  de 
Castelpers  presented  himself  with  his  twenty 
Horse  at  the  end  of  the  street  by  the 
Church,  wherein  he  did  us  very  great  service, 


THE    MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE  103 

for  the  Enemy  might  otherwise  have  sallyed 
out  upon  us.  I  had  only  seven  or  eight 
men  hurt,  who  nevertheless  were  all  able  to 
march,  one  Gentleman  only  excepted,  called 
Vigaux,  whom  we  set  upon  an  Ass  of 
those  we  had  found  in  the  Mill,  and  presently 
began  to  retire  towards  the  top  of  a 
mountain,  which  was  almost  the  same  way 
by  which  Monsieur  de  Castelpers  had  come, 
when  the  Enemy  discovering  us  to  be  so 
few,  they  all  sallyed  out  in  our  Rear  ;  but 
we  had  already  gain'd  the  top  of  the  Hill 
when  they  arriv'd  but  at  the  foot  of  it,  and 
before  they  recovered  the  height  we  were 
got  into  the  valley  on  the  other  side,  ready 
to  climb  another  (there  being  many  little 
hills  in  that  place),  and  yet  we  never  marched 
faster  than  a  foot  pace  ;  and  so  went  straight 
on  to  Aubaigne. 

1  had  given  order  to  the  Soldiers  that 
went  along  with  us,  that  every  one  should 
take  with  him  a  loaf  of  Bread,  which  they 
eat  by  the  way,  and  I  also  had  caus'd  some 
few  to  be  brought,  which  I  divided  amongst 
the  Gens-d'Armes  of  Monsieur  de  Tavannes, 
and  we  our  selves  eat  as  we  went  ;  which  I 
here  set  down  to  the  end  that  when  any 
Captain  shall  go  upon  an  Enterprize,  where 
he  is  to  have  a  long  march,  he  may  take 


I04        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

exemple  to  cause  something  to  be  brought 
along  to  eat,  wherewith  to  refresh  the 
Soldiers,  that  they  may  be  the  better  able  to 
hold  out  ;  for  men  are  not  made  of  Iron. 

So  soon  as  we  were  come  to  Aubaigne, 
two  leagues  from  Marselles,  where  we  had 
thought  to  have  halted,  and  to  have  taken 
some  refreshment,  we  heard  the  Artillery  of 
the  Gallies  and  of  the  Town,  which  at  that 
distance  seem'd  to  be  volleys  of  Harquebuze- 
shot  ;  an  Alarm  that  constrain'd  us  without 
further  delay  or  taking  away  other  refresh- 
ment than  what  we  had  brought  along  with 
us,  to  march  forwards,  and  to  enter  into 
consultation  amongst  our  selves  what  course 
we  were  best  to  take  ;  we  already  took  it  for 
granted  that  the  Emperor  was  arriv'd  before 
the  Town,  and  that  he  would  certainly  sit 
down  before  it ;  and  thence  concluded  it 
impossible  for  us  to  get  in  again,  which  made 
us  often  repent,  and  curse  the  enterprize 
that  had  shut  us  out,  the  misfortune  whereof 
was  wholly  laid  to  my  charge,  as  the  Author 
of  all.  in  this  uncertainty  what  course 
to  steer.  Monsieur  de  Castelpers  was  once 
resolved  to  go  charge  desperately  through 
the  Enemy's  Camp,  to  get  into  the  City  ; 
but  when  he  came  to  acquaint  us  with  his 
determination,  we  remonstrated  to  him  that 


THE   MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE  105 

that  would  be  to  throw  himself  away  out 
of  an  humor,  and  that  since  we  had  together 
performed  so  brave  a  service,  and  with  which 
the  King  would  be  so  highly  pleased,  we 
ought  likewise  together  either  to  perish,  or 
to  save  our  selves.  Captain  Trebous,  Guidon 
to  the  Company  of  Monsieur  de  Montpezat, 
told  him  the  same,  so  that  we  concluded  in 
the  end  to  leave  the  great  high  way,  and 
crossing  the  Mountains  on  the  left  hand,  to 
fall  down  behind  Nostre  Dame  de  la  Garde, 
making  account  that  in  case  we  could  not 
enter  into  the  City  the  Captain  of  the  said 
Cittadel  would  receive  us  in  there.  So  we 
turn'd  out  of  the  way,  and  it  was  well  for  us 
that  we  did  so,  for  Vignaux  and  les  Bleres 
keeping  on  the  great  Road  straight  to 
Marselles  had  not  gone  on  five  hundred 
paces,  but  they  met  with  four  or  five  hundred 
Horse,  which  the  Emperor  (having  had 
intelligence  from  those  of  Auriolle  of  what 
had  been  done)  had  sent  out  to  meet  and 
fight  us  upon  the  way  ;  and  had  not  the 
Emperor  parted  from  Aix  by  night  to  go 
before  Marselles,  so  that  the  Messengers  of 
a  long  time  could  meet  with  no  body  to 
whom  to  deliver  their  errand,  I  do  believe 
we  had  certainly  been  defeated :  but  the 
Emperor   knew  nothing  of  it  till  break  of 


io6        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

day,  whereupon  he  presently  sent  out  those 
four  or  five  hundred  Horse  upon  the  Road 
to  Aubaigne,  who  did  no  other  harm  to 
Vignaux  and  those  who  were  with  him,  but 
only  took  away  their  Arms. 

In  this  manner  we  travail'd  all  day  fi-om 
mountain  to  mountain  in  the  excessive  heat, 
without  finding  one  drop  of  water,  insomuch 
that  we  were  are  all  ready  to  dye  for  thirst  ; 
always  within  sight  of  the  Emperor's  Camp, 
and  ever  within  hearing  of  the  Skirmishes 
that  were  made  before  the  Town,  Monsieur 
de  Castelpers  and  his  Gens-d'  Armes  march- 
ing all  the  way  on  foot,  as  we  did,  and  lead- 
ing their  horses  in  their  hands,  till  coming 
near  to  Nostre  Dame  de  la  Garde,  the 
Captain  of  the  Castle,  taking  us  for  the 
Enemy,  let  fly  three  or  four  pieces  of  Canon 
at  us,  which  forc'd  us  to  shift  behind  the 
Rocks.  From  thence  we  made  signs  with 
our  hats  ;  but  for  all  that  he  ceas'd  not  to 
shoot,  till  in  the  end,  having  sent  out  a 
Soldier  to  make  a  sign,  so  soon  as  he  under- 
stood who  we  were,  he  gave  over  shooting  ; 
and  as  we  came  before  Nostre  Dame  de  la 
Garde,  we  saw  the  Emperor,  who  was  retiring 
by  the  way  he  came,  and  Christophle  Goast, 
who  had  all  day  maintain'd  the  Skimish, 
beginning  also  to  retreat  towards  the  City. 


THE    MILLS   OF   AURIOLLE  107 

We  then  began  to  descend  the  Mountain, 
when  so  soon  as  Monsieur  de  Barbezieux, 
and  Monsieur  de  Montpezat  (who,  with  some 
other  Captains,  were  standing  without  the 
gates  of  the  City)  had  discover'd  us,  they 
would  have  gone  in  again,  taking  us  for  the 
Enemy  ;  but  some  body  saying  that  then 
those  of  the  Castle  would  have  shot  at  us, 
the  said  Sieur  de  Montpezat  presently  knew 
Monsieur  de  Castelpers  ;  and  we  thereupon 
arriv'd  at  the  Gate  of  the  City,  where  we  were 
mightily  caressed,  especially  when  they 
heard  of  the  good  success  of  our  enterprize, 
and  they  talk'd  with  the  Captain  of  the  Mill, 
who  was  wounded  in  the  arm  and  in  the 
head,  and  after  every  one  retir'd  to  his  own 
Quarters. 

I  made  no  manner  of  question,  but  that 
Monsieur  de  Barbezieux,  so  soon  as  the  King 
should  come  to  Marselles,  would  have 
presented  me  to  His  Majesty,  and  have  told 
him  that  I  was  the  man  who  had  performed 
this  exploit,  that  His  Majesty  might  have 
taken  notice  of  me  :  but  he  was  so  far  from 
doing  me  that  friendship,  that  on  the  contrary 
he  attributed  all  the  honor  to  himself,  saying 
that  it  was  he  who  had  laid  the  design  of 
this  Enterprize,  and  had  only  deliver'd  it  to 
us  to  execute  ;  and  Monsieur  de  Montpezat 


io8        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

was  by  ill  fortune  at  that  time  very  sick,  and 
could  say  nothing  in  my  behalf,  so  that  I 
remain'd  as  much  a  stranger  to  the  King  as 
ever.  I  came  to  know  all  this  by  the  means 
of  Henry,  King  of  Navarre,  who  told  me 
that  he  himself  had  seen  the  Letters  which 
the  said  Sieur  de  Barbezieux  had  writ  to  the 
King  to  that  eifect,  wherein  he  attributed  to 
himself  the  whole  honor  of  that  action. 
Monsieur  de  Lautrec  would  not  have  serv'd 
me  so  ;  neither  is  it  handsom  to  rob  another 
man  of  his  honor  ;  and  there  is  nothing  that 
does  more  discourage  a  brave  heart  :  but 
Monsieur  de  Tavannes,  who  is  now  living, 
can  testfie  the  truth.  So  it  is,  that  the 
destroying  of  the  Mills,  both  the  one  and 
the  other,  especially  those  of  Auriolle, 
reduced  the  Emperors  Camp  to  so  great 
necessity  that  they  were  fain  to  eat  the 
Corn  pounded  in  a  Mortar,  after  the  manner 
of  the  Turks,  and  the  Grapes  they  ate  put 
their  Camp  into  so  great  a  disorder  and 
brought  so  great  a  Mortality  amongst  them, 
especially  the  Germans,  that  I  verily  believe 
there  never  return'd  a  thousand  of  them  into 
their  own  Country,  and  this  was  the  issue  of 
this  mighty  preparation. 

The  Captains  who  shall  read  this  relation, 
may  perhaps  observe  that  in  this  Enterprize 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  109 

there  was  more  of  Fortune  than  of  Reason, 
and  that  I  went  upon  it  as  it  were  in  the 
dark,  though  it  was  happily  brought  about  : 
but  I  do  not  suspect,  however,  that  any  one 
will  conclude  it  to  be  wholly  an  effect  of  my 
good  fortune,  but  will  also  take  notice  that  I 
forgot  nothing  of  what  was  necessary  to  make 
the  design  succeed  ;  and  on  the  other  side 
they  may  observe  that  my  principal  security 
was  that  the  Enemy  within  the  Town  by  the 
Rule  of  War  ought  not  to  sally  out  of  their 
Garrison  till  they  should  first  discover  what 
our  Forces  were,  a  thing  in  the  obscurity  of 
the  night  which  they  could  very  hardly  do, 
all  which  notwithstanding,  I  did  not  yet  so 
much  rely  upon  their  discretion  but  that  I 
moreover  put  a  bridle  in  their  mouths,  which 
was  Belsoleil  and  his  Company.  A  man 
must  often  hazzard  something,  for  no  one 
can  be  certain  of  the  event.  I  concluded  the 
conquest  of  the  Mill  for  certain  :  but  I  ever 
thought  it  would  be  a  matter  of  great 
difficulty  and  danger  to  retreat. 

A  Notable  Enterprise  carried  on 
BY  A  Merchant  and  its  Results 

Sometime  after  Monsieur  de  Termes 
carryed    on    an    enterprize   that    was    never 


no        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

discovered  to  any  but  to  Monsieur  Boitieres 
and  my  self,  not  so  much  as  to  Monsieur  de 
Tais,  though  he  was  our  Colonel  ;  and  it  was 
thus.  There  was  a  Merchant  of  Barges,  a 
great  friend  and  servant  to  Monsieur  de 
Termes,  and  a  good  French  man,  call'd 
Granuchin,  who,  coming  from  Barges  to 
Savillan,  was  taken  by  some  Light  horse 
belonging  to  Count  Pedro  d'Apporte, 
Governor  of  Fossan,  and  being  a  prisoner  was 
sometimes  threatened  to  be  hang'd  ;  and 
sometimes  promised  to  be  put  to  ransom, 
with  so  great  uncertainty  that  the  poor  man 
for  seven  or  eight  days  together  was  in 
despair  of  his  life  :  but  in  the  end  he 
bethought  himself  to  send  word  to  the  Count 
that  if  he  would  be  pleased  to  give  him  leave 
to  talk  with  him  he  would  propound  things 
that  should  be  both  for  his  advantage  and  his 
honor.  The  Count  thereupon  sent  for  him, 
where,  being  come,  Granuchin  told  him  that 
it  should  only  stick  at  himself  if  he  were  not 
Lord  of  Barges,  for  that  it  was  in  his  power 
to  deliver  up  the  Castle  into  his  hands,  the 
City  not  being  strong  at  all.  The  Count 
greedy  to  listen  to  this  enterprize,  presently 
clos'd  with  him  about  it,  agreeing  and  con- 
cluding, that  Granuchin  should  deliver  up  his 
wife  and  his  son  in  Hostage  ;  and  the  said 


A    MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  1 1 1 

Granuchin  proposed  the  manner  of  it  to  be 
thus  ;  saying  that  he  was  very  intimate  with 
the  Captain  of  the  Castle,  and  that  the  pro- 
visions that  were  put  into  it  ever  passed 
thorough  his  hands,  and  that  moreover  he  had 
a  share  in  some  little  Traffick  they  had 
betwixt  them,  to  wit,  betwixt  the  said  Captain 
of  the  Castle,  called  la  Mothe,  and  himself ; 
and  that  the  Scotch  man  who  kept  the  Keys 
of  the  Castle  was  his  very  intimate  friend, 
whom  he  also  evermore  had  caused  to  get 
something  amongst  them,  and  whom  he  was 
certain  he  could  make  firm  to  his  purpose  ; 
not  the  Captain  de  la  Mothe  nevertheless  ; 
but  that  he  was  sick  of  a  Quartan  Ague  that 
held  him  fifteen  or  twenty  hours  together  ; 
so  that  he  almost  continually  kept  his  bed  ; 
and  that  so  soon  as  he  should  be  at  liberty 
he  would  go  and  complain  to  Monsieur  de 
Termes  of  two  men  that  were  reputed 
Imperialists,  who  had  told  him,  and  given 
the  Enemy  intelligence  of  his  Journey,  and 
that  after  having  left  his  wife  and  his  son  in 
hostage  he  would  go  and  demand  justice  of 
Monsieur  de  Boitieres,  by  the  mediation  of 
Monsieur  de  Termes,  and  then  would  go  to 
Barges  to  the  Castle,  and  that  upon  a  Sunday 
morning  he  would  cause  fifteen  or  twenty 
Soldiers  that  la  Mothe  had  there,  to  go  out 


112        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

(leaving  only  the  Scotch  man,  the  Butler,  and 
the  Cook  within)  to  take  those  who  had  told 
him,  as  they  should  be  at  the  first  Mass  in 
the  morning,  and  in  the  mean  time  the  Count 
should  cause  forty  Soldiers  to  march,  who 
before  day  should  place  themselves  in  ambush 
in  a  little  Copse  about  an  Harquebuze  shot 
distant  from  the  Postern  Gate,  and  that  so 
soon  as  it  should  be  time  for  them  to  come, 
he  would  set  a  white  Flag  over  the  said 
Postern.  Now  there  was  a  Priest  of  Barges, 
who  being  banish'd  thence,  lived  at  Fossan, 
that  was  a  great  friend  to  Granuchin,  and  had 
labour'd  very  much  for  his  deliverance,  and 
he  also  was  call'd  into  the  Council,  where 
amongst  them  it  was  concluded,  that  the  said 
Priest  on  a  night  appointed  should  come  to 
a  little  wood  the  half  way  betwixt  Barges  and 
Fossan,  where  he  was  to  whistle,  to  give 
notice  that  he  was  there,  and  that  if  he  had 
corrupted  the  Scot,  he  should  bring  him 
along  with  him,  to  resolve  amongst  them- 
selves how  the  business  should  be  further 
carried  on. 

Things  being  thus  concluded,  Granuchin 
writ  a  Letter  to  Monsieur  de  Termes, 
wherein  he  intreated  him  to  procure  for  him 
a  safe-conduct  from  Monsieur  de  Boitieres 
that  his  Wife  and    his  Son   might  come  to 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  1 13 

Fossan,  there  to  remain  pledges  for  him,  for 
he  had  prevail'd  so  far  by  the  intercession  of 
certain  of  his  friends,  that  the  Count  was  at 
last  content  to  dismiss  him  upon  a  ransom  of 
six  hundred  Crowns  ;  but  that  if  he  was  not 
abroad,  and  at  liberty,  no  man  would  buy 
his  goods,  out  of  which  he  was  to  raise  that 
sum  ;  which  safe-conduct  if  he  should  obtain 
in  his  behalf,  he  desir'd  he  would  please  to 
deliver  it  to  a  friend  of  his  he  nam'd  in 
Savillan,  to  whom  he  also  had  writ  to  desire 
him  to  make  what  hast  he  could  to  send  his 
Wife  and  Son  to  the  said  Fossan. 

All  this  being  accordingly  procur'd  and 
done,  and  the  said  Granuchin  set  at  liberty, 
he  forthwith  came  to  Savillan  to  find  out 
Monsieur  de  Termes,  to  whom  he  gave  an 
account  of  the  whole  business.  Whereupon 
Monsieur  de  Termes  (who  already  began  to 
feel  himself  falling  sick  of  a  disease  that 
commonly  held  him  fourteen  or  fifteen  days 
at  a  time)  sent  for  me,  to  whom  he  com- 
municated the  enterprize,  where  it  was  by  us 
all  three  concluded  that  Granuchin  should  go 
talk  with  Monsieur  de  Boitieres  and  inform 
him  at  large  of  the  whole  design.  To  which 
purpose  Monsieur  de  Termes  gave  him  a 
Letter  to  Monsieur  de  Boitieres,  who,  having 
received  and  read  it,  made  no  great  matter  of 
H 


114        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  business,  only  writing  back  to  Monsieur 
de  Termes  that  if  he  knew  Granuchin  to  be 
a  man  fit  to  be  trusted  he  might  do  as  he 
thought  fit :  by  which  slight  answer  Monsieur 
de  Termes  enter'd  into  an  opinion  that 
Monsieur  de  Boitieres  would  be  glad  he 
should  receive  some  baffle  or  affront,  (and 
indeed  he  did  not  much  love  him)  which 
made  him  once  in  mind  to  break  off  the 
design  and  to  meddle  no  more  in  it  :  but 
seeing  the  said  Granuchin  almost  in  despair 
to  think  that  the  business  should  not  go 
forward,  and  I  being  more  concern'd  than  he 
that  such  an  opportunity  of  trapping  the 
Enemy  should  be  lost,  earnestly  entreated 
Monsieur  de  Termes  to  leave  the  whole 
business  to  my  care  ;  which  he  made  great 
difficulty  to  grant,  ever  fearing  that  should 
any  thing  happen  amiss.  Monsieur  de  Boitieres 
would  do  him  a  courtesie  to  the  King,  as  the 
custom  is  :  for  when  any  one  bears  a  man  a 
grudge  he  is  glad  when  he  commits  any 
oversight,  that  the  Master  may  have  occasion 
to  be  offended  and  to  remove  him  from  his 
command ;  condemning  him  for  that  he 
would  not  be  govern'd  by  the  wise  :  but  in 
the  end,  with  much  importunity,  he  was  con- 
tent to  refer  the  management  of  the  business 
wholly  to  my  discretion. 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  115 

The  said  Granuchin  departed  then  to  go  to 
Barges,  where  he  made  discovery  of  all  to 
Captain  la  Mothe  and  the  Scotch  man,  to 
whom  Monsieur  de  Termes  writ  also,  and  the 
night  appointed  being  come,  they  both  went 
out,  and  alone  (for  Granuchin  was  very  well 
acquainted  with  the  way)  and  came  to  the 
wood,  where  they  found  the  Priest  ;  with 
whom  they  agreed,  first  that  that  the  said 
Count  should  acquit  Granuchin  of  his  ransom, 
giving  him  as  much  as  the  Soldiers  that  took 
him  had  taken  from  him,  and  moreover 
appoint  him  an  Apartment  in  the  Castle  with 
the  Captain  he  should  put  into  it,  with  a 
certain  Pension  for  his  support  ;  and  secondly 
that  he  should  marry  the  Scotch  man  to  an 
Inheritrix  there  was  in  Barges,  and  also  find 
out  some  handsom  employment  for  him,  for- 
asmuch as  he  was  never  after  to  return  either 
into  Scotland,  or  into  France.  All  which  was 
agreed  and  concluded  betwixt  them,  and 
moreover  that  the  Priest  should  bring  all 
these  Articles  sign'd  and  seal'd  with  the  Arms 
of  the  said  Count  to  a  Summer  house  in  the 
fields  belonging  to  the  Brother  of  the 
said  Priest,  to  which  he  sometimes 
repair'd  a  nights  ;  and  that  the  Sunday 
following  the  business  should  be  put  in 
execution. 


ii6        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Having  accordingly  received  all  these 
obligations,  Granuchin  returned  again  to 
Savillan,  where  he  gave  us  an  account  of  all, 
and  shew'-d  us  the  Bond.  Now  there  was 
only  three  days  to  Sunday,  wherefore  we 
made  him  presently  to  return,  having  first 
agreed  that  he  should  bring  along  with  him 
two  Guides  of  the  very  best  he  could  find 
out  ;  not  that  he  should  however  discover 
any  thing  to  them  of  the  business,  but  only 
shew  them  some  counterfeit  Letters,  wherein 
mention  should  be  made  of  some  Wine  he 
had  bought  for  me. 

The  Guides  came  accordingly  by  Saturday 
noon  to  Savillan,  when,  seeing  them  come, 
I  took  Captain  Favas  my  Lieutenant  apart, 
and  privately  in  my  chamber  communicated 
to  him  the  whole  design,  telling  him  withal 
that  I  had  made  choice  of  him  for  the  execu- 
tion of  it  ;  which  he  made  no  scruple  to 
undertake  (for  he  had  mettle  enough)  and 
it  was  agreed  that  he  should  tye  the  Guides 
together,  and  that  they  were  by  no  means  to 
enter  into  any  high  way  or  Road,  but  to 
march  cross  the  fields.  We  had  much  ado 
to  persuade  the  Guides  to  this,  forasmuch 
as  they  were  to  pass  three  or  four  Rivers, 
and  there  was  Snow  and  Ice  all  along,  so 
that  we  were  above  three  hours   disputing 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  1 1 7 

this  way  :  but  in  the  end  the  two  Guides 
were  content,  to  each  of  which  I  gave  ten 
Crowns  and  moreover  a  very  good  Supper. 

We  were  of  advice  that  we  should  not 
take  many  men  that  less  notice  might  be 
taken  ;  and  at  that  time  we  were  making  a 
Rampire  at  that  Gate  towards  Fossan,  where, 
in  order  to  that  work,  we  had  broken 
down  a  little  part  of  the  wall  and  made  a 
Bridge  over  the  Grasse,  over  which  to  bring 
in  earth  from  without.  By  this  Breach  1 
put  out  Captain  Favas,  and  with  him  four 
an  thirty  more  only,  and  so  soon  as  we  were 
without,  we  tyed  the  Guides  for  being  lost, 
and  so  he  set  forwards.  Now  the  Enemies 
assignation  and  ours  was  at  the  same  hour  ; 
so  that  Granuchin  had  directed  them  the 
way  on  the  right  hand  to  come  to  this 
Copse,  and  ours  he  had  ordered  to  march 
on  the  left  hand,  near  to  the  walls  of  the 
City  ;  who,  so  soon  as  they  were  come  to 
the  Postern,  there  found  Granuchin  and  the 
Scot  ready  to  receive  them,  it  being  the  hour 
that  the  Scotch  man  us'd  to  stand  Centinel 
over  the  said  Postern,  so  that  they  were  never 
discover'd,  and  he  disposed  them  into  a 
Cellar  of  the  Castle,  where  he  had  prepar'd 
a  Charcoal  fire,  with  some  Bread  and  Wine. 
In  the  mean  time  the  day  began  to  break, 


ii8        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

and  as  the  Bell  rung  to  low  Mass  in  the 
Town,  the  Scot  and  Granuchin  commanded 
all  the  Soldiers  in  the  Castle  to  go  take  these 
two  men  (that  Granuchin  had  accused  to 
have  betrayed  him)  at  Mass,  so  that  there 
remain'd  no  more  in  the  Castle  but  only 
la  Mothe  himself,  his  valet  de  chambre,  who 
also  trayl'd  a  Pike,  the  Butler,  the  Cook, 
the  Scotch  man,  and  Granuchin. 

The  Scot  then  pull'd  up  the  Bridge,  and 
call'd  out  Captain  Favas,  making  him  to 
skulk  behind  certain  Bavins  in  the  base 
Court,  kneeling  upon  one  knee,  which  being 
done,  they  went  to  set  up  the  white  Flag 
upon  the  Postern  ;  soon  after  the  Priest 
arriv'd,  and  with  him  about  forty  Soldiers, 
who  were  no  sooner  entered  in,  but  the 
Scotch  man  shut  the  Gate,  and  at  the  same 
instant  Captain  Favas  and  his  Company  flew 
upon  them,  who  made  some  little  resistance, 
insomuch  that  seven  or  eight  of  them  were 
slain  ;  but  Granuchin  sav'd  the  Priest,  and 
would  not  endure  he  should  have  the  least 
injury  offered  to  him.  In  the  mean  time 
a  Country  fellow,  as  he  was  coming  from  a 
little  house  below  the  Castle,  saw  the 
Spanish  Soldiers  with  their  red  crosses  enter 
in  at  the  Postern  Gate,  and  thereupon  ran 
down  into   the   Town   to    give    the    Alarm, 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  119 

and  to  tell  them  that  the  Castle  was  betray'd  ; 
at  which  news,  the  Soldiers  who  had  been 
sent  out  to  take  the  two  men  at  Mass 
would  have  return'd  into  the  Castle  ;  but 
ours  shot  at  them,  though  so  high  as  not  to 
hit  them,  taking  upon  them  to  be  enemies, 
and  crying  out  *  Imperi,  Imperi,  Savoy, 
Savoy,'  which  was  the  reason  that  the 
Soldiers  fled  away  to  Pignerol  carrying  news 
to  Monsieur  de  Boitieres,  that  Granuchin 
had  betrayed  the  Castle  and  that  the  Enemy 
was  within  it.  Monsieur  de  Boitieres 
thereupon  in  a  very  great  fury,  dispatched 
away  a  Courrier  to  Monsieur  de  Termes, 
who  lay  sick  in  his  bed,  and  almost  distracted 
at    the    disaster,    often     crying     out,    *  Ah 

*  Monsieur   Montluc  you   have   ruin'd    me, 

*  would  to  God   1   had  never  hearkened  to 

*  you  '  :  and  in  this  error  we  continued  till 
the  Wednesday  following.  In  the  mean 
time  the  Soldiers  who  had  enter'd  were 
clap'd  up  in  the  Cellar,  my  Soldiers  taking 
the  Red  Crosses,  and  moreover  setting  up  a 
white  Flag  with  a  Red  Cross  upon  a  Tower 
of  the  Castle,  and  crying  out  nothing  but 
'  Imperi,  Imperi.' 

Things  being  in  this  posture,  Granuchin 
immediately  made  the  Priest  to  subscribe 
a  Letter,  wherein  he  had  writ  to  the  Count 


120        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

that  he  should  come  and  take  possession 
of  the  Town  and  Castle,  for  that  Granuchin 
had  kept  his  word  with  him,  and  then  sent 
for  a  Labourer,  who  was  tenant  to  the 
Brother  of  the  said  Priest,  to  whom  he 
caused  the  Letter  to  be  given  by  the  Priest 
himself,  saying  and  swearing  to  him,  that  if 
he  made  any  kind  of  Sign,  either  in  giving 
the  Letter  or  otherwise,  that  he  would 
presently  kill  him  ;  making  him  moreover 
deliver  several  things  to  the  messenger 
by  word  of  mouth ;  The  fellow  went  away, 
and  upon  a  mare  of  his  own  made  all  the 
haste  he  could  to  Fossan,  it  being  but  twelve 
miles  only,  immediately  upon  whose  coming 
the  Count  resolv'd  that  night  to  send  away 
a  Corporal  of  his  call'd  Janin,  with  five  and 
twenty  of  the  bravest  men  of  all  his 
Company,  who  about  break  of  day  arriv'd  at 
Barges.  So  soon  as  he  came  to  the  Castle, 
Granuchin,  the  Priest,  and  the  Scot  were 
ready  to  let  him  in  at  the  foresaid  Postern, 
whilst  Captain  Favas  went  to  plant  himself 
behind  the  Bavins  as  before,  although 
Granuchin  was  something  long  in  open- 
ing the  Gate,  both  because  he  would 
clearly  see  and  observe  whether  the  Priest 
made  any  sign,  and  also  for  that  he  had  a 
mind    those    of   the    City    should    see    him 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  121 

enter  ;  when  so  soon  as  it  was  broad  day, 
he  opened  the  Postern,  teUing  them  that 
the  Soldiers  who  came  in  with  the  Priest 
were  laid  to  sleep,  being  tir'd  out  with 
the  long  labour  they  had  sustein'd  the  day 
before,  and  so  soon  as  they  were  all  in,  the 
Scot  suddainly  clap'd  to  the  Gate,  and  as 
suddainly  Captain  Favas  start  up,  and  fell 
upon  them  without  giving  them  time,  saving 
a  very  few,  to  give  fire  to  their  Harquebuzes, 
as  ours  did  who  had  them  all  ready ; 
nevertheless  they  defended  themselves  with 
their  Swords,  so  that  six  of  mine  were  hurt, 
and  fifteen  or  sixteen  of  this  Company  were 
slain  upon  the  place,  of  which  Corporal 
Janin  was  one  (which  was  a  very  great 
misfortune  to  us)  together  with  a  Brother  of 
his,  the  rest  were  led  into  the  Cellar  ty'd 
two  and  two  together,  for  there  were  already 
more  prisoners  in  the  Castle  than  Soldiers 
of  our  own. 

Now  this  fight  continuing  longer  than 
the  former,  the  Enemy  in  fighting  still 
cry'd  out  *  Imperi '  and  ours  '  France '  ; 
insomuch  that  their  cries  reach'd  down  into 
the  City,  and  especially  the  rattle  of  the 
Harquebuze  shot,  so  that  to  avoid  being  so 
soon  discovered,  their  design  being  to  Train 
the  Count  thither  (for  to  that  end  tended  all 


122        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  Farce)  they  all  got  upon  the  walls  of  the 
Castle  and  from  thence  cryed  out  *  Imperi ' 
and  '  Savoy,'  having  on  their  red  crosses  as  I 
said  before.  Now  the  Country  fellow  that 
had  been  sent  with  the  Letter  to  the  Count 
did  not  return  with  those  men  up  to  the 
Castle  but  staid  at  his  Master's  Country 
house  by  the  way,  wherefore  he  was  again 
suddainly  sent  for,  and  another  Letter 
deliver'd  to  him  by  the  hands  of  the  Priest 
to  carry  to  the  said  Count  to  Fossan,  wherein 
he  gave  him  to  understand  that  Corporal 
Janin  was  so  weary  he  could  not  write  but 
that  he  had  given  him  in  charge  to  render 
him  an  account  of  all,  and  that  he  was  laid 
down  to  sleep.  So  soon  as  the  Count  had 
read  this  Letter  he  put  on  a  Resolution  to 
go,  not  the  next  day  which  was  Tuesday,  but 
the  Wednesday  following  (when  God  intends 
to  punish  us  he  deprives  us  of  our  under- 
standings, as  it  happened  here  in  the  case  of  this 
Gentleman).  The  Count  in  the  first  place 
was  reputed  one  of  the  most  circumspect 
(and  as  wise  as  valiant)  Leaders  they  had  in 
their  whole  Army,  which  notwithstanding  he 
suffered  himself  to  be  gull'd  by  two  Letters 
from  this  Priest,  especially  the  last  which  he 
ought  by  no  means  to  have  relyed  upon  ; 
nor  to  have  given  credit  to  anything,  without 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  123 

having  first  seen  something  under  his 
Corporal's  own  hand,  and  should  have  con- 
sider'd  whether  or  no  it  were  a  plausible 
excuse  to  say  that  the  said  Corporal  was 
laid  down  to  sleep.  But  we  are  all  blind 
when  we  have  once  set  our  hearts  upon  any 
thing  of  moment.  Believe  me,  Gentlemen, 
you  that  are  great  undertakers  of  Enterprizes, 
you  ought  maturely  to  consider  all  things, 
and  weigh  every  the  least  circumstance,  for  if 
you  be  subtle,  your  Enemy  may  be  as  crafty 
as  you.  A  trompeur  trompeur  et  demy,  says  the 
Proverb,  Harm  watch  harm  catch.  And  The 
cunning  St  snap  may  meet  with  his  match.  But 
that  which  most  of  all  deceived  the  Count 
was  that  the  Tuesday  those  of  the  Town 
who  thought  themselves  to  be  become 
Imperialists,  and  yet  in  some  doubt  by  reason 
of  the  various  cries  they  had  heard  during 
the  fight,  had  sent  five  or  six  women  to  the 
Castle  under  colour  of  selling  cakes,  Apples, 
and  Chesnuts,  to  see  if  they  could  discover 
any  thing  of  Treason  (for  all  those  that 
remain'd  in  the  Town  had  already  taken  the 
Red  Cross)  ;  whom  so  soon  as  our  people 
saw  coming  up  the  Hill,  they  presently 
suspected  their  business,  and  resolving  to  set 
a  good  face  on  the  matter,  went  to  let  down 
the  little  draw  bridge  to  let  them  in.     My 


124        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Soldiers  then  fell  to  walking  up  and  down 
the  base  Court  with  their  red  crosses,  all 
saving  three  or  four  that  spake  very  good 
Spanish,  who  fell  to  talk  with  the  Women, 
and  bought  some  of  their  Wares,  taking 
upon  them  to  be  Spaniards,  insomuch  that 
they  afterwards  returning  to  the  Town, 
assur'd  the  Inhabitants  that  there  was  no 
deceit  in  the  business  :  and  moreover 
brought  a  letter  which  la  Mothe  writ  to  a 
friend  in  the  Town,  wherein  he  entreated  him 
to  go  to  Monsieur  de  Boitieres,  and  to  tell 
him  that  he  had  never  consented  to 
Granuchin's  treachery  ;  which  Letter  he 
delivered  to  one  of  the  W^omen,  knowing 
very  well  that  the  party  to  whom  it  was 
directed  was  not  there  to  be  found  ;  but 
would  be  one  of  the  first  to  run  away,  as 
being  a  very  good  French  man  :  but  their 
design  was  that  the  Letter  should  fall  into 
the  hands  of  those  of  the  Imperial  party,  as 
according  it  did. 

As  the  Count  was  coming  on  Wednesday 
morning,  our  people  in  the  Castle  discover 'd 
him  marching  along  the  plain,  and  the  people 
of  the  Town  went  to  meet  him  without  the 
Gate,  where  being  come,  he  ask'd  them  if  it 
were  certainly  true  that  the  Castle  was  in 
his  hands,  to  which  they  made  answer,  that 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  125 

they  believed  it  so  to  be  :  but  that  at  the 
entrance  of  his  men  the  first  time,  there  were 
a  great  many  Harquebuzes  shot  off  within, 
and  a  very  great  noise  was  made  :  and  that 
on  the  Monday  morning,  when  the  others 
entered,  they  likewise  heard  a  very  great 
noise  that  continued  longer  than  the  former, 
and  that  they  once  thought  they  heard  them 
cry  one  while  '  France  ',  and  another  *  Imperi ' 
and  *  Duco  '  :  but  that  notwithstanding  they 
had  yesterday  sent  their  Wives  into  the 
Castle  with  Fruit,  Bunns,  and  Chesnuts, 
whom  they  had  permitted  to  enter,  where 
they  saw  all  the  Soldiers  with  red  crosses. 
The  Count  hearing  this,  commanded  his 
Lieutenant  to  alight,  and  to  refresh  his 
horses  and  men,  bidding  those  of  the  Town 
speedily  get  something  ready  for  him  to  eat  ; 
for  so  soon  as  he  had  taken  order  in  the 
Castle,  he  would  come  down  to  dinner,  after 
which  he  would  take  their  Oath  of  Fidelity, 
and  so  return  back  again  to  Fossan.  Now 
you  must  know  it  is  a  very  steep  and  uneasy 
ascent  from  the  Town  to  the  Castle,  by 
reason  whereof  the  Count  alighted,  and 
walked  up  on  foot,  accompanied  with  a 
Nephew  of  his,  another  Gentleman,  and  his 
Trumpet.  So  soon  as  he  came  to  the  end 
of  the  Bridge,  which  was  let  down,  and  the 


126        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Gate  shut,  but  the  Wicket  left  open,  so 
that  a  man  might  easily  pass,  and  lead  his 
horse  after  him  ;  Granuchin  and  the  Priest 
being  above  in  the  window,  saluting  him, 
desir'd  him  to  enter  ;  to  which  nevertheless 
he  made  answer  that  he  would  advance  no 
further  till  he  had  first  spoken  with  Corporal 
Janin  ;  seeing  then  that  he  refused  to  enter, 
Granuchin  in  his  hearing  said  to  the  Priest 
(to  get  him  from  thence)  *Pray  Father  go 
down,  and  tell  Corporal  Janin  that  my  Lord 
is  at  the  Gate,  where  he  stays  to  speak  with 
him,'  and  at  the  same  time  himself  also 
departed  from  the  window,  pretending  to  go 
down  ;  whereupon  Captain  Favas  and  his 
Soldiers  ran  to  open  the  Gate,  which  was 
only  bolted,  and  all  on  a  suddain  leap'd  upon 
the  Bridge.  Seeing  this,  the  Count  who  was 
one  of  the  most  active  men  of  all  Italy,  and 
who  held  his  horse  by  the  bridle  (the  best 
one  of  them  that  ever  that  country  bred 
and  which  I  afterwards  gave  to  Monsieur  de 
Tais)  vaulted  over  a  little  wall  which  was 
near  to  the  Bridge,  drawing  his  horse  after 
him,  with  intent  to  have  leap'd  into  the 
Saddle  (for  their  was  no  horse  so  tall 
(provided  he  could  lay  his  hand  upon  the 
Pummel)  but  he  could  arm'd  at  all  pieces, 
vault  into  the  Seat)  but  he  was  prevented  by 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  127 

the  Bastard  of  Bazordan,  call'd  Janot  (yet 
living  and  then  of  my  Company)  who  by 
misfortune  being  he  either  could  not  or 
would  not  get  over  the  wall  to  lay  hands 
upon  him,  let  fly  at  him  an  Harquebuze, 
which  taking  the  default  of  his  Arms,  went 
into  his  belly,  piercing  thorough  his  bowels 
almost  to  the  other  side,  of  which  shot  he 
sunk  down  to  the  ground.  Captain  Favas 
took  his  Nephew,  and  another  the  Trumpet, 
but  the  other  Gentleman  escap'd  down  the  Hill, 
crying  out  that  the  Count  was  either  kill'd 
or  taken  ;  whereupon  the  Lieutenant  and 
all  his  Company  skutled  to  horse  in  so  great  a 
fright  that  they  never  look'd  behind  them 
till  they  came  to  Fossan.  Had  it  so  fallen 
out  that  Janin  at  the  second  entry  had  not 
been  slain,  they  had  not  only  snap'd  the 
Count,  and  by  degrees  all  his  whole  Troop 
(for  they  might  have  compell'd  him  to  have 
spoke  to  them,  with  a  dagger  at  his  reins 
ready  to  stab  him  should  he  make  a  sign), 
but  moreover  might  perhaps  from  hence 
have  spun  out  some  contrivance  against 
Fossan  it  self ;  for  one  Enterprize  draws  on 
another. 

These  things  being  done,  they  in  the 
evening  dispatch'd  away  Captain  Milhas 
(a  Gentleman  of  my  Company)  to  bring  me 


128        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  news,  and  to  relate  to  me  from  point  to 
point  how  all  things  had  passed  ;  together 
with  a  Letter  from  the  said  Count,  wherein 
he  entreated  me,  seeing  he  was  my  prisoner, 
and  that  greater  advantage  was  to  be  made 
of  his  life  than  of  his  death,  to  do  him  the 
courtesie  as  to  send  him  with  all  speed  a 
Physician,  a  Chirurgeon,  and  an  Apothecary. 
Captain  Milhas  arriv'd  just  at  the  time  that 
they  open'd  the  Gates  of  the  City,  so  that 
he  found  me  putting  on  my  cloaths,  and 
there  related  to  me  the  whole  business, 
thereby  delivering  me  from  the  great  anxiety, 
and  trouble  wherein  from  Sunday  till 
Wednesday  I  had  continually  remain'd  ;  for 
though  I  was  really  concerned  for  the  place, 
yet  was  I  much  more  afflicted  for  the  loss 
of  my  Lieutenant  and  my  Soldiers,  who 
were  most  of  them  Gentlemen  and  all  very 
brave  men.  Immediately  upon  the  news,  I 
ran  to  Monsieur  de  Termes  his  lodgings, 
whom  I  found  sick  a  bed  :  but  I  dare  say 
that  neither  he  nor  I  were  ever  so  overjoy'd  ; 
for  we  both  very  well  knew  that  had  it  fallen 
out  otherwise  there  were  Rods  in  piss.  So 
soon  as  I  departed  from  him,  I  presently 
sent  away  a  Phisician,  a  Chirurgeon,  and  an 
Apothecary,  whom  I  mounted  upon  three 
horses  of  my  own  for  the  more  speed  ;  neither 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  129 

did  they  either  stop  or  stay  until  they  came 
thither  :  but  it  was  impossible  to  save  him, 
for  he  died  about  midnight,  and  was  brought 
to  Savillan,  whom  every  one  had  a  desire 
to  see,  even  Monsieur  de  Termes  himself 
as  sick  as  he  was,  and  he  was  very  much 
lamented  by  all.  The  next  day  I  sent  the 
Body  to  Fossan,  but  detein'd  the  Nephew 
and  Trumpet  with  the  rest  that  were  taken 
prisoners  at  Barges,  until  they  should  send 
me  back  the  Wife  and  Son  of  the  said 
Graunchin,  which  the  next  day  they  did,  and 
I  also  delivered  up  all  the  Prisoners. 

I  beseech  you.  Captains,  you  who  shall 
see  and  hear  this  Relation,  to  consider 
whether  or  no  this  was  a  stratagem  for  a 
Merchant ;  believe  me,  the  oldest  Captain 
would  have  been  puzzled,  and  have  had 
enough  to  do  to  carry  it  on  with  so  much 
dexterity  and  resolution  as  he  did  ;  wherein 
although  Captain  Favas  was  the  performer 
of  it  when  it  came  to  execution,  neverthe- 
less the  Merchant  was  not  only  the  original 
contriver,  but  also  a  principal  Actor  through- 
out the  whole  business,  having  the  heart,  in 
order  to  his  revenge,  to  expose  his  Wife  and 
Son  to  the  extreamest  danger.  In  reading  of 
which  (fellows  in  Arms)  you  may  learn 
diligence  with  temper,  and  take  notice  what 
I 


I30        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

sleights  and  policies  were  used  and  continued 
for  the  space  of  four  days  together,  such  as 
no  man  either  of  theirs  (or  which  is  more,  of 
our  own)  could  possibly  discover,  both 
parties  being  held  equally  suspended.  The 
Count,  for  a  prudent  Cavalier,  behav'd 
himself  herein  with  very  great  levity, 
especially  upon  the  second  Letter  ;  but  he 
repair'd  his  fault  when  he  refused  to  enter 
the  Castle  without  first  seeing  his  man ; 
though  that  caution  signified  nothing  as  it 
fell  out.  Whenever  therefore  you  design 
an  enterprize,  weigh  every  thing,  and  never 
go  handover  head  ;  and  without  precipitating 
your  selves,  or  being  too  easie  of  beliefe 
upon  light  foundations,  judge  and  consider 
whether  there  be  any  appearance  or  likely- 
hood  in  the  thing  ;  for  1  have  seen  more 
deceiv'd  than  otherwise,  and  whatever 
assurance  is  given  you,  or  whatever  promises 
may  be  made,  be  sure  to  raise  your  Counter- 
battery,  and  never  rely  so  wholly  upon  him 
who  is  to  carry  on  the  work  but  that  you 
have  still  a  reserve  to  secure  your  venture, 
should  his  faith  or  conduct  fail.  It  is  not,  I 
confess,  well  done  to  condemn  him  who  has 
the  management  of  an  affair  if  it  do  not 
succeed  ;  for  men  should  always  be  attempt- 
ing however  they  speed,  and  hit  or  miss  'tis 


A    MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  131 

all  one  provided  there  be  neither  treason 
nor  absurdity  in  the  case.  Men  must  try, 
and  fail,  for  being  we  are  to  confide  in  men, 
no  one  can  see  into  their  hearts  :  but 
however  go  warily  to  work.  I  have  ever 
been  of  opinion  (and  do  think  that  every 
good  Captain  ought  to  have  the  same)  that 
it  is  better  to  assault  a  place  upon  a  surpiize, 
where  no  one  is  privy  to  the  design,  than 
to  have  perhaps  some  Traytor  for  your 
Guide  ;  for  as  much  as  you  are  certain  there 
can  be  no  counter-treason  against  you  ;  and 
though  you  fail,  you  retire  with  the  less 
danger,  for  your  enemy  can  have  laid  no 
ambuscados  to  entrap  you. 

Caesar  de  Naples  being  this  day  at 
Carmagnolle,  had  there  news  brought  to 
him  of  the  Count's  disaster  and  death,  at 
which  he  was  extremely  afflicted  ;  and  to 
secure  Fossan,  would  send  thither  three 
Companies  of  Italians,  which  had  formerly 
been  in  Garrison  there,  to  wit,  that  of  Blaise 
de  Somme,  a  Neapolitan,  that  of  Baptista, 
a  Millanese,  and  that  of  Raussanne,  a 
Piedmontois,  who  nevertheless  refus'd 
suddainly  to  depart  (fearing  we  would  fight 
them  by  the  way)  and  would  not  stir  till 
they  might  have  a  good  and  strong 
Convoy  ;  and  the  Germans  he  had  with  him 


132        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

would  not  be  perswaded  to  go,  by  which 
means  he  was  constrain'd  to  send  to  Reconis 
to  the  four  Spanish  Companies  which  were 
in  Garrison  there  ;  that  is  to  say,  that  of 
Don  Juan  de  Guebara,  Camp-Master,  of 
Louys  de  Quichadou,  Aquilbert,  and 
Mendoza,  which  made  it  two  days  before 
they  durst  set  out  to  march.  In  the  mean 
time  Monsieur  de  Termes  was  advertised  by 
his  spy  that  the  said  Italian  Companies  were 
to  set  forth  the  next  morning,  to  go  put 
themselves  into  Fossan,  and  that  they  were 
to  have  two  Troops  of  Horse  to  conduct 
them  :  but  he  had  heard  nothing  that  the 
Spaniards  were  to  go. 

The  said  Seigneur  was  at  this  time  but 
newly  recovered  of  his  sickness,  who  the 
same  morning  communicated  the  affair  to 
me,  and  at  the  very  instant  we  concluded 
to  draw  four  hundred  Foot  out  of  all  our 
Companies,  all  pick'd  and  choice  men, 
to  wit,  two  hundred  Harquebusiers  and 
as  many  Pikes  wearing  Corslets.  Captain 
Tilladet  (who  had  lost  but  two  or  three  of 
all  his  Launces)  was  not  yet  return 'd  to 
Savillan,  which  was  the  reason  that  Monsieur 
de  Termes  his  Company  was  not  so  strong  ; 
and  on  the  other  side  Monsieur  de 
Bellegarde,  his  Lieutenant,  was  gone  to  his 


A   MERCHANT'S  ENTERPRISE  133 

own  house,  and  had  taken  some  few  with 
him,  by  which  means  Captain  Mons  could 
make  but  fourscore  Horse  in  all ;  and  the 
Spy  told  us  that  the  Italian  Companies 
were  to  take  the  same  way  by  which  their 
Army  had  march'd  when  they  went  to 
Carignan,  which  was  by  the  Plain,  where 
we  before  had  fought  the  Italians.  We 
therefore  concluded  to  take  the  way  of 
Marennes,  and  to  be  there  before  them  ; 
when  as  we  were  going  out  of  the  Town, 
Monsieur  de  Cental  arriv'd,  who  came  from 
Cental,  having  with  him  fifteen  Launces  ot 
Seigneur  Maure,  and  twenty  Harquebusiers 
on  horseback,  which  hindred  us  a  little,  for- 
asmuch as  he  entreated  Monsieur  de  Termes 
to  give  him  a  little  time  to  bait  his  horses, 
for  he  was  also  of  necessity  to  pass  the  same 
way  we  were  designed  to  march,  to  go  to  his 
Government  of  Cairas.  To  whom  we  made 
answer  that  we  would  go  but  very  softly 
before,  and  stay  for  him  at  Marennes  :  but 
that  he  should  make  hast  ;  for  in  case  we 
should  hear  the  Enemy  was  passing  by,  we 
could  not  stay  for  him.  Monsieur  de 
Termes  had  once  a  great  mind  to  have  gone 
along  with  us  himself;  but  we  entreated 
him  not  to  do  it,  both  because  he  had  been 
so  lately  sick,  and  also  that  the  Town  being 


134        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

left  in  a  manner  naked,  should  any  misfortune 
happen  to  us  it  would  be  in  great  danger  to 
be  lost. 

Being  come  to  Marennes  we  there  made 
a  halt,  staying  for  Monsieur  Cental,  where 
we  order'd  our  Battail  in  this  manner,  to 
wit,  that  the  Captains  Gabarret  and  Baron 
should  lead  the  two  hundred  Corslets,  and 
1  the  two  hundred  Harquebusiers,  with 
whom  I  presently  took  the  Vanne,  the 
Corslets  following  after  me,  and  so  march'd 
out  of  the  Village.  Captain  Mons  also 
divided  his  Horse  into  Troops  :  but  to 
whom  he  gave  the  first  I  am  not  able  to  say, 
they  being  all  Comrades,  but  I  do  believe  it 
was  either  to  Masses,  Moussene,  Ydrou, 
or  the  younger  Tilladet  ;  and  when  we  had 
march'd  a  little  way,  before  we  would 
discover  our  selves  to  the  valley  thorough 
which  the  Enemy  was  to  pass,  we  made  a 
stand.  I  then  took  a  Gentleman  along  with 
me  call'd  la  Garde  (he  being  on  horseback) 
and  advanc'd  a  little  forward  to  discover  the 
valley,  where  presently  on  the  other  side 
in  the  plain  of  Babe  (a  Castle  belonging  to 
the  Castellano  of  Savoy)  I  discover'd  the 
three  Italian  Companies,  and  the  Cavalry 
marching  directly  towards  Fossan.  At 
which   I    was    ready    to    run    mad,    cursing 


A    MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  135 

Monsieur  de  Cental,  and  the  hour  that  ever 
he  came,  thinking  there  had  been  no  more 
than  those  I  saw  on  the  other  side,  who 
were  already  got  a  great  way  before  us  ; 
when  being  about  to  return  to  tell  the  rest 
that  they  were  already  passed,  and  looking 
down  into  the  valley  (for  before  I  had  only 
looked  into  the  plain  on  the  other  side) 
I  discover'd  the  Spanish  Foot  shewing  them 
to  la  Garde  (who  before  saw  them  no  more 
than  I)  having  almost  all  of  them  yellow 
breeches  ;  and  moreover  saw  their  Arms 
glitter  against  the  Sun,  by  which  we  knew 
they  were  Corslets.  We  never  dream'd  of 
meeting  any  more  than  the  three  Italian 
Companies  only,  so  that  had  we  not  by 
accident  made  some  stay  in  expectation  of 
Monsieur  Cental,  we  had  met  the  Spaniards 
and  the  Italians  together,  and  do  verily 
believe  had  been  defeated,  considering  what 
defence  the  Spaniards  made  alone.  I 
presently  then  went  and  gave  the  rest  of 
the  Captains  an  account  of  what  I  had  seen, 
advising  them  withal  by  no  means  as  yet 
to  discover  themselves  ;  for  the  Spaniards 
had  made  a  halt  and  stood  still.  I  also 
began  to  lose  sight  of  the  Italians,  who 
march'd  directly  to  Fossan  :  it  was  a  very 
great   oversight   in  them   to   separate  them- 


136        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

selves  at  so  great  a  distance  from  one 
another  ;  la  Garde  then  return'd,  and  told 
me  that  Monsieur  Cental  was  coming  hard 
by,  bringing  a  Trooper  along  with  him, 
whom  I  made  to  stay  above,  keeping  always 
his  eye  on  the  Italians,  whilst  I,  with  la 
Garde,  went  down  to  number  their  men,  who 
let  fly  some  Harquebuze  shot  at  me  :  but 
I  notwithstanding  went  so  near  that  I  made 
shift  to  count  them,  to  betwixt  four  and 
five  hundred  men  at  the  most,  and  presently 
return'd  to  the  top  of  the  Hill,  where  I 
saw  their  Cavalry  returning  towards  them, 
having  left  the  Italians  who  were  already 
a  great  way  off  and  clean  out  of  sight.  I 
then  sent  the  Soldier  to  my  Companions 
to  bid  them  presently  march,  for  the 
Spaniards  began  to  beat  their  Drums  to 
return.  The  Troops  of  Horse  they  had 
were  those  of  the  Count  de  Saint  Martin 
d'  Est,  Kinsman  to  the  Duke  of  Ferrara  ; 
who  himself  was  not  there,  but  his  Lieutenant 
only,  and  of  Rozalles,  a  Spaniard.  Their 
Companies  of  Foot  were  those  of  Don  Juan 
de  Guibara,  Aguillere,  and  Mendoza,  with 
one  half  of  that  of  Louys  de  Guichadou,  he 
with  the  other  half  having  put  himself  into 
the  Castle  of  Reconis.  Here  Monsieur  de 
Cental  and   Captain  Mons  came  up  to  me. 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  137 

they  two  only,  and  saw  as  well  as  I  that  the 
said  Spaniards  put  themselves  into  file, 
which  we  judg'd  to  be  eleven  or  thirteen 
in  File,  and  in  the  mean  time  their  Cavalry 
came  up  to  them. 

Now  they  had  already  discovered  us, 
although  they  had  hitherto  seen  no  more 
than  five  ;  and  I  for  my  part  was  particularly 
known,  when  I  went  down  to  discover,  by 
the  Serjeant  of  Mendoza,  who  had  been 
taken  at  the  defeat  of  the  Italians,  and 
deliver'd  three  days  after  ;  whereupon  they 
plac'd  all  their  Cavalry  before,  and  only 
twenty  or  five  and  twenty  Harquebusiers  at 
the  head  of  them,  a  great  Company  at  the 
head  of  their  Pikes,  and  the  remainder  in 
the  Rear  ;  in  which  order  with  Drums 
beating  they  began  to  march.  I  took  my 
Harquebusiers  which  I  divided  into  three 
Squadrons,  the  first  whereof  I  gave  to 
Captain  Lienard,  the  second  to  le  Pallu, 
Lieutenant  to  Monsieur  de  Carces,  who  had 
his  two  Companies  at  Savillan,  and  I  my 
self  lead  the  third  in  the  Rear  of  them, 
the  Corslets  following  after  ;  where,  at  the 
first  coming  up,  I  had  la  Garde  killed  by  my 
side.  The  Enemy  still  held  on  their  march 
without  making  any  shew  of  breaking, 
firing    upon     us    all    the    way    with    very 


138        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

great  fury,  and  we  also  upon  them,  so  that  I 
was  constrain'd  to  call  Captain  Lienard  to 
come  and  join  with  me,  forasmuch  as  a 
Squadron  of  Harquebusiers  was  drawn  off 
from  their  Front  to  reinforce  their  Rear. 
I  likewise  called  up  le  Pallu,  and  after  this 
manner  they  march'd  on  till  they  came 
within  sight  of  the  Castle  of  St  Pre,  which 
was  three  miles  or  more,  continually  plying 
us  with  their  Harquebuze  shot.  I  had  once 
almost  put  them  to  rout,  at  the  passing  over 
a  great  ditch,  near  to  a  house  where  was  a 
base  Court,  where  we  pursued  them  so  close 
that  we  came  to  the  Sword,  whereupon 
twenty  or  five  and  twenty  of  them  leap'd 
into  the  base  Court,  and  there  some  of  ours 
falling  in  pell-mell  amongst  them,  they  were 
all  cut  to  pieces,  whilst  in  the  interim  of  that 
execution  the  rest  got  over  the  ditch.  Our 
Cavalry  had  thought  to  have  charg'd  them 
but  did  not,  being  kept  oiFby  the  Harquebuze 
shot,  by  which  many  of  their  horses  were 
slain,  and  as  for  Captain  Gabarret  and 
Baron,  they  committed  on  error,  who,  seeing 
us  in  the  ditch  all  shuffled  pell-mell  together, 
forsook  their  horses  and  took  their  Pikes, 
yet  could  they  not  come  up  in  time,  which  if 
they  had,  and  that  the  Corslets  could  have 
march'd  at  the  rate  the  Harquebusiers  did, 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  139 

they  had  there  been  infallibly  defeated  ;  but 
it  was  not  possible,  being  hindred  by  the 
weight  of  their  Arms,  so  that  the  Enemy 
march'd  on,  still  ridding  ground,  till  being 
come  near  to  a  little  Bridge  of  Brick,  I  left 
our  Harquebusiers  still  fighting,  and  gallop'd 
to  our  Cavalry  that  was  in  three  Bodies, 
Monsieur  de  Cental  leading  his  own,  which 
still  keeping  at  distance  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
shot,  march'd  sometimes  before  and  some- 
times a  little  on  one  side,  to  whom,  coming 
up  to  him,  I  said,  '  Ah  Monsieur  de  Cental 
'  will  you  not  charge  ?  do  you  not  see  that  the 

*  Enemy  will  escape  us  if  they  once  get  over 

*  that    Bridg,   and    immediately   recover   the 

*  wood  of  St  Fre  ?  which  if  they  do,  we  are 
'  never  more  worthy  to  bear  Arms,  and  for  my 

*  part  I  will  from  this  hour  forswear  them.' 
Who  in  great  fury  made  answer  that  it  stuck 
not  at  him  but  that  I  was  to  speak  to 
Captain  Mons,  which  I  also  did,  saying  to 
him  these  words.  *  Hah  Camrade  !  must 
'  we  this  day  receive  so  great  a  disgrace,  and 
'  lose  so    fair  an  opportunity,  because  your 

*  Horse  will  not  charge  ? '  Who  thereupon 
answered,  *  What  would  you  have  us  do, 
'your  Corslets  cannot  come  up  to  the  fight, 
'  would  you  have  us  fight  alone  ? '  To  which 
I  made  answer,  swearing  for  rage,  that  I  had 


I40        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

no  need  of  Corslets,  wishing  they  were  all  at 
Savillan,  since  they  could  not  come  up  to 
fight  ;  he  then  said  to  me,  go  speak  to  the 
foremost  Troop,  and  in  the  mean  time  I  will 
advance  ;  I  then  spurr'd  to  them,  where  I 
began  to  remonstrate  to  Monsieur  de  Termes 
his  Gentlemen,  that  it  was  not  above  nine  or 
ten  days  since  we  had  fought  with  the 
Italians  and  beaten  them,  and  now  that  we 
should  fight  with  the  Spaniards  to  obtain 
greater  honor,  must  they  escape  from  us  ? 
Who  thereupon  with  one  voice  all  cryed  out, 

*  It  does  not  stick  at  us,  It  does  not  stick 
*at  us.'  I  then  ask'd  them  if  they  would 
promise  me  to  charge  so  soon  as  I  should 
have  made  the  Harquebusiers  betake  them- 
selves to  their  Swords,  to  run  in  upon  them, 
which  they  did  assure  me  they  would  upon 
pain  of  their  lives.  There  was  at  that  time 
amongst  them  a  Nephew  of  mine  call'd 
Serillac  (who  after  was  Lieutenant  to  Mon- 
sieur de  Cypierre  at  Parma,  and  there  taken 
prisoner  with  him,  and  since  slain  at  Monte- 
pullsianne,  and,  in  truth,  amongst  these 
thirty  Launces  there  were  the  best  men  that 
Monsieur  de  Termes  had  in  all  his  Troop) 
to   whom    I   said  ;    *  Serillac,   thou    art    my 

*  Nephew,  but  if  thou  dost  not  charge  in  the 

*  first  man  amongst  them,  I  henceforth  disclaim 


A   MERCHANT'S   ENTERPRISE  141 

'  thee,  and  thou  shalt  no  more  be  any  Kinsman 
*  of  mine '  ;  who  immediately  returned  me 
answer,  '  You  shall  presently  see.  Uncle, 
'  whether  I  will  or  no.'  Which  said  he  clap'd 
down  his  Beaver,  as  also  did  all  the  rest,  to 
charge.  I  then  cryed  out  to  them  to  stay  a 
little,  till  I  first  got  up  to  my  men,  and 
thereupon  ran  to  my  Harquebusiers,  where 
being  come,  I  told  them  that  it  was  now  no 
longer  time  to  shoot,  but  that  we  must  fall  onto 
the  Sword.  Captains,  my  Comrades,  whenever 
you  shall  happen  to  be  at  such  a  feast  as  this, 
press  your  followers,  speak  first  to  one  and 
then  to  another,  bestir  your  selves,  and  doubt 
not  but  by  this  means  you  will  render  them 
valiant  throughout  if  they  were  but  half  so 
before.  They  all  on  a  suddain  clap'd  hands 
to  their  Swords,  when  so  soon  as  Captain 
Mons  who  was  a  little  before,  and  Monsieur 
de  Cental  who  was  on  one  side,  saw  the  first 
Troop  shut  down  their  Beavers,  and  saw  me 
run  to  the  Harquebusiers,  and  in  an  instant 
their  Swords  in  their  hands,  they  knew  very 
well  that  1  had  met  with  Lads  of  mettle,  and 
began  to  draw  near.  T  for  my  part  lighted 
from  my  horse,  taking  a  H albert  in  my  hand 
(which  was  my  usual  weapon  in  fight)  and 
all  of  us  ran  headlong  to  throw  our  selves  in 
amongst  the  Enemy.      Serillac  was  as  good 


142        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

as  his  word,  for  he  charg'd  in  the  first,  as 
they  all  confess'd,  where  his  horse  was  kill'd 
at  the  head  of  the  Enemies  Harquebusiers, 
and  our  own  Horse  with  seven  Harquebuze 
shot.  Tilladet,  Lavit,  Ydrou,  Montselier,  les 
Maurens,  and  les  Massae,  all  Gascon  Gentle- 
men of  the  same  Troop,  and  companions  of 
the  said  Serillac,  charg'd  the  Horse  thorough 
and  thorough,  whom  they  overturn'd  upon 
the  head  of  their  own  Foot.  Monsieur  de 
Cental  also  charg'd  in  the  Flank,  quite  thorough 
both  Horse  and  Foot,  Captain  Mons  charg'd 
likewise  on  the  other  side,  so  that  they  were 
all  overthrown,  and  routed  both  Horse  and 
Foot.  And  there  we  began  to  lay  about  us, 
above  fourscore  or  an  hundred  men  being 
left  dead  upon  the  place.  Rozalles,  Captain 
to  one  of  the  two  Troops  of  Light  horse, 
with  four  others,  got  away,  as  also  did  Don 
Juan  de  Guibara  upon  a  Turk  with  his  Page 
only,  who  happened  to  be  on  horseback, 
being  shot  thorough  the  hand,  of  which  he 
ever  after  remain'd  lame,  and  I  do  believe  is 
yet  living. 

This  is  the  true  relation  of  this  fight,  as  it 
pass'd,  their  being  several  at  this  day  alive, 
who  were  present  at  it,  and  I  desire  no  other 
testimony  to  prove  whether  I  have  fail'd  in 
one  tittle  of  the  truth. 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN  143 


The    Bridge    of    Carignan 

Three  or  four  days  after  came  Ludovico  de 
Birague,  who  propos'd  an  enterprize  to 
Monsieur  de  Boitieres,  which  was  that  in 
case  he  would  leave  Monsieur  de  Tais  about 
Boulongne  (where  he  was  Governor)  with 
seven  or  eight  Companies  of  Foot,  that  then 
he  would  engage  to  take  Cassantin,  St 
Germain,  and  St  Jago  ;  a  thing  that,  because 
Monsieur  de  Boitieres  was  upon  the  design 
of  breaking  the  Bridge  at  Carignan,  he  made 
very  great  difficulty  to  consent  unto,  until 
the  said  Bridge  should  first  be  broken 
down  :  but  Monsieur  de  Termes  being  come 
with  his  own  Company  and  the  two  Com- 
panies of  the  Baron  de  Nicolai,  it  was 
concluded  amongst  them  that  Monsieur  de 
Tais  might  be  spar'd  to  go  with  Signior 
Londin6,  with  seven  Ensigns,  being  that 
still  there  would  remain  five  or  six,  the 
three  Companies  of  Monsieur  de  Dros, 
which  he  had  again  recruited,  and  seven  or 
eight  others  of  Italians.  I  do  not  well 
remember  whether  Monsieur  de  Strozzi  was 
himself  yet  arriv'd  or  no,  for  the  last  nam'd 
were  his  men  :  but  it  may  suffice,  that  we 
made  up,  v/hat  French  and  Italians,  eighteen 


144        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Ensigns  besides  the  Swisse.  It  was  therefore 
concluded  in  the  Council  that  before  they 
should  take  in  hand  the  breaking  of  the 
Bridge  they  should  first  see  how  the  enter- 
prize  of  the  said  Signior  Ludovico  should 
succeed,  which  should  it  miscarry  and  that 
they  were  defeated,  all  Piedmont  would  be 
in  very  great  danger.  But  in  a  few  days 
after  news  was  brought  to  Monsieur  de 
Boitieres  that  they  had  taken  St  Germans 
and  St  Jago,  with  four  or  five  other  little 
enclos'd  Towns.  Neither  must  I  forget 
that  Monsieur  de  Tais  stiffly  insisted  to  have 
had  me  along  with  him,  insomuch  that  there 
arose  some  dispute  about  it  :  But  Monsieur 
de  Boitieres  protested  he  would  not  under- 
take to  break  the  Bridge  unless  I  was  there  : 
Monsieur  de  Termes,  Monsieur  d'Aussun, 
the  President  Birague,  and  Signior  Francisco 
Bernardin  stood  very  high  on  Monsieur 
Boitieres  his  side,  so  that  I  was  constrained 
to  stay,  very  much  against  my  will,  I  having 
a  very  great  desire  to  have  gone  along  with 
Monsieur  de  Tais,  both  because  he  lov'd  me 
and  had  as  great  confidence  in  me  as  in  any 
Captain  of  the  Regiment,  as  also  that  he  was 
a  man  of  exceeding  great  mettle  and  would 
seek  all  occasions  of  fighting  :  however  the 
foremention'd    news    being     brought,     the 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN   145 

breaking  of  the  Bridge  was  concluded,  and 
after  this  manner. 

It  was  order'd  that  I  with  five  or  six 
Companies  of  Gascons  should  go  fight  the 
hundred  Germans  and  hundred  Spaniards 
that  had  every  night  kept  Guard  at  the  end 
of  the  Bridge  ever  since  our  Army  had  been 
at  Pingues.  To  which  I  made  answer  that 
I  would  not  have  so  many  :  for  being  to 
pass  through  narrow  ways  so  great  a  number 
of  men  would  make  so  very  long  a  File 
that  the  sixth  part  of  them  could  never  come 
up  to  fight  :  and  in  short,  that  I  would  only 
have  an  hundred  Harquebusiers  and  an 
hundred  Corslets,  to  be  equal  to  the  Enemy  ; 
not  doubting  but  before  the  Game  was 
done,  to  make  it  appear  that  our  Nation 
were  as  good  as  either  German  or  Spaniard  : 
but  withal  that  Boguldemar,  la  Pallu,  and 
another  Captain  (whose  name  I  have  forgot) 
should  bring  all  the  rest  of  the  men  after,  at 
the  distance  of  three  hundred  paces,  to  assist 
me  in  case  the  Enemy  should  Sally  out  of 
Carignan  to  relieve  their  own  people.  Which 
accordingly  was  left  to  my  discretion. 

There  was  a  house  on  the  left  hand  the 

Bridge  which  it  was  order'd  the  Italians  (who 

might    be    between    twelve    and     fourteen 

Ensigns)   should    possess    themselves  of  to 

K 


146        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

favour  me  should  the  Enemy  make  a  Sally  ; 
that  Monsieur  de  Boitieres  should  advance 
with  all  the  Cavalry  and  the  Swisse  within 
half  a  mile  ;  that  Captain  Labarbac  with  his 
Company  should  advance  on  the  other  side 
of  the  River  with  two  pieces  of  Canon  to 
make  some  shot  at  a  little  house  which  was 
on  the  Bridge  end  on  our  side,  where  the 
Enemy  kept  their  Guard,  and  that  Monsieur 
de  Salcede  (who  but  a  little  before  was  come 
over  to  us)  with  three  or  fourscore  Country 
fellows  (every  one  bringing  a  hatchet  along 
with  him)  should  attempt  to  break  the 
Bridge.  For  whom  also  seven  or  eight 
Boats  were  prepared  wherein  to  convey 
themselves  under  the  said  Bridge,  where 
they  were  to  cut  the  Posts,  not  quite  thorough 
but  to  the  thickness  of  a  mans  leg,  and  that 
being  done,  to  cut  the  long  beams  that 
supported  the  Bridge  above,  which  dividing 
from  one  another  the  Pillars  would  totter 
and  Dreak  of  themselves  ;  they  had  moreover 
certain  fire  works  deliver'd  to  them,  which 
they  were  made  to  believe,  being  applyed  to 
the  Pillars,  would  in  a  short  time  burn  them 
down  to  the  water.  Every  one  then  going 
to  execute  the  orders  they  had  received, 
I  with  my  two  hundred  men,  chosen  out  of 
all  the  Companies,   went  full  drive  directly 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN   147 

towards  the  Bridge,  where  I  could  not  how- 
ever so  soon  arrive  but  that  the  Canon 
had  already  made  one  shot  at  the  little  house, 
had  broken  into  it,  and  kill'd  a  German, 
whom  at  my  coming  I  found  there  not  quite 
dead.  And  although  it  was  night,  yet  the 
Moon  shone  out  so  clear  that  we  might 
easily  see  from  the  one  end  to  the  other, 
saving  that  by  intervals  there  fell  a  mist, 
which  continued  sometimes  half-an-hour,  and 
sometimes  less,  during  which  we  could  not 
see  a  yards  distance  from  us. 

Now  either  frighted  at  the  report  of  the 
Canon,  or  at  the  noise  I  made  at  the  house 
(it  being  not  above  an  hundred  paces  distant 
from  the  Bridge)  the  Enemy  took  their  heels, 
and  fled  towards  Carignan,  after  whom  I 
sent  some  Harquebuze  shot :  but  follow'd 
no  further  than  the  end  of  the  Bridge.  At 
the  same  time  also  Monsieur  de  Salcede, 
with  his  Boors  and  his  Boats,  arriv'd  under- 
neath, who  at  his  first  coming  presently 
fastened  his  artificial  fires  to  the  Pillars  ; 
but  it  was  only  so  much  time  thrown  away, 
and  he  must  of  force  make  the  fellows  fall 
to't  with  their  Axes,  who  having  ty'd  their 
Boats  fast  to  the  said  Pillars,  began  to  lay 
on  at  the  end  where  the  Swisse  were,  cutting 
on    straight    towards    me,    who   kept    the 


148        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

other    end     of    the    Bridge     towards    the 
Enemy. 

This  fury  of  the  Clowns  lasted  for  four 
long  hours,  continually  laying  on  upon  the 
Pillars,  insomuch  that  though  they  were 
rank'd  four  and  four  together,  and  of  a  very 
great  thickness,  yet  before  we  had  any 
disturbance,  they  were  all  cut  to  the  very 
place  where  I  was.  Monsieur  de  Salcede 
ever  caused  our  Company  to  rest  themselves 
upon  the  Bank  of  the  River,  where  he  had 
caus'd  a  little  fire  to  be  made,  and  from  hour 
to  hour  made  them  to  relieve  one  another  ; 
during  which  employment  the  Enemy  sent 
out  thirty  or  forty  Harquebusiers  to  discover 
what  we  were  doing,  just  at  a  time  when 
the  Fog  fell,  whom  I  could  neither  see  nor 
hear  for  the  noise  of  the  axes  till  they  were 
got  within  four  Pikes  length  of  me  and  let 
fly  amongst  us,  which  having  done  they 
immediately  retir'd  :  yet  could  they  not 
see  us  by  reason  of  the  mist.  Messieurs  de 
Termes  then  and  de  Moniens  with  three  or 
four  horse  came  up  to  us  to  know  the  mean- 
ing of  those  Harquebuze  shots  ;  and  sent 
back  to  Monsieur  de  Boitieres  to  tell  him 
that  it  was  nothing,  and  that  for  them  we 
nothing  desisted  from  the  work,  themselves 
alone    still   remaining  with  me.     They  had 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN  149 

not  staid  an  hour  but  that  the  mist  again 
began  to  fall,  and  the  Enemy  as  soon  return'd 
upon  us,  that  is  to  say,  six  hundred  Spaniards 
chosen  men,  and  six  hundred  German  Pikes, 
Pedro  de  Colonne  (as  1  have  since  under- 
stood) having  order'd  the  business  thus  : 
That  two  hundred  Harquebusiers,  again 
chosen  out  of  the  six  hundred,  should  charge 
full  drive  directly  upon  us,  the  other  four 
hundred  to  march  at  an  hundred  paces 
distance  in  the  Rear  of  them,  and  the  six 
hundred  Germans  two  hundred  paces  after 
all.  Now  I  had  plac'd  the  Captains  who 
led  the  Ensigns  after  me  against  a  great 
ditch  bank  some  two  hundred  paces  behind 
me,  and  sometimes  Captain  Favas,  my 
Lieutenant,  and  sometimes  Boguedemar 
came  to  me  to  see  what  we  did,  and  again 
return'd  back  to  their  place.  On  that  side  of 
the  Bridge  towards  the  Swisse  we  per- 
adventure  had  broken  down  some  twenty 
paces,  having  begun  to  cut  the  beams  above, 
and  found  that,  as  the  Bridge  divided,  it  fell 
down  for  fifteen  or  twenty  paces  together, 
which  gave  us  hope  that  we  should  make  an 
end  of  the  work.  In  the  mean  time  Mon- 
sieur de  Salcede  still  made  the  Pillars  to  be 
cut  over  again,  yet  not  quite  thorough  ;  but 
only  a  little  more  than  before,  which  was  the 


I50        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

reason  that  he  had  divided  his  workmen  into 
three  parts,  whereof  one  was  in  the  Boats, 
the  other  upon  the  Bridge  cutting  the 
Traverse  beams,  and  ten  or  twelve  by  the 
fire  side.  As  God  is  pleas'd  sometimes  to 
be  assisting  to  men,  he  this  night  wrought 
a  real  miracle  ;  for  in  the  first  place,  the  two 
hundred  Harquebusiers  came  up  to  me, 
finding  me  in  such  a  posture  that  scarce  one 
Soldier  had  his  match  cock'd,  for  they  went 
by  turns  ten  or  a  dozen  at  a  time  to  the 
Country  mens  fire  to  warm  their  hands, 
having  two  Centinels  out  a  hundred  paces 
from  me  upon  the  way  towards  the  City, 
and  not  doubting  but  the  Italians  on  their 
side  would  also  have  the  same,  for  they  were 
a  little  nearer  than  I  ;  but  it  was  a  little  on 
one  side.  How  they  order'd  their  business  I 
cannot  tell,  for  I  had  no  more  than  my  two 
Centinels,  who  came  running  in  to  me, 
and  as  they  came  in  with  the  Alarm,  the 
Spaniards  also  arriv'd  crying  out  *  Spain, 
*  Spain,'  all  the  two  hundred  Harquebusiers 
firing  upon  us  together.  Whereupon  Mes- 
sieurs de  Termes  and  de  Moneins,  being  on 
horseback  and  alone,  ran  unto  Monsieur  de 
Boitieres,  who  had  already  seen  the  beginning 
of  the  disorder  ;  and  note  that  almost  all  the 
two  hundred  men  I  had  at  the  end  of  the 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN  151 

Bridge  ran  away  straight  to  the  Ensigns,  and 
on  a  suddain  the  Ensigns  also  fled,  and  in 
like  manner  at  the  same  time  the  Italians  who 
were  on  our  left  hand  did  the  same,  neither 
once  looking  behind  them  till  they  came  to  the 
head  of  the  Cavalry,  where  Monsieur  de 
Boitieres  himself  stood.  Our  word  was  St 
Pierre,  but  that  did  me  no  good  ;  seeing 
which,  I  began  to  cry  out,  *  Montluc,  Mont- 
'  luc,  you  cursed  cowardly  whelps,  will  you 
*  forsake  me  thus  ?  '  By  good  fortune  I  had 
with  me  thirty  or  forty  young  Gentlemen, 
who  had  never  a  hair  on  their  faces,  the 
handsomest  and  the  bravest  youth  that  ever 
was  seen  in  one  little  Company,  who  thought 
I  had  ran  away  with  the  rest  ;  but  hearing 
my  voice,  returned  immediately  towards  me  ; 
with  whom,  without  staying  for  any  more,  I 
charg'd  straight  to  the  place  from  whence 
the  shot  came  whizzing  by  our  ears  :  but  to 
see  one  another  was  impossible  for  the 
mist  that  fell,  together  with  the  thick  smoak 
that  was  mixt  with  it,  and  in  running  up  to 
them  my  men  discharg'd  all  together,  crying 
out  *  France,'  as  they  cry'd  out '  Spain  '  ;  and  I 
dare  affirm  that  we  fir'd  at  less  than  three 
Pikes  distance,  by  which  charge  their  two 
hundred  Harquebusiers  were  overturn'd 
upon  the  our  hundred,  and  all  of  them  upon 


152        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  six  hundred  Germans  ;  so  that  all  in  a 
rout  and  confusion,  they  fled  full  speed 
towards  the  City,  for  they  could  not  discover 
what  we  were.  I  pursu'd  them  about  two 
hundred  paces  ;  but  my  pursuit  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  great  noise  in  our  Camp  (I 
never  heard  the  like),  you  would  have  sworn 
they  had  been  all  stark  staring  mad,  calling 
and  bawling  upon  one  another  ;  yet  these 
great  bawlers  are  none  of  the  greatest  fighters. 
There  are  a  sort  of  men  who  bustle  up  and 
down,  call,  command,  and  keep  a  great 
clutter,  and  in  the  mean  time  for  one  step 
they  advance,  retire  two  paces  backwards  ; 
but  this  hideous  noise  was  the  reason  that  I 
could  never  discover  the  enemies  disorder  ; 
neither  could  they  discover  ours  by  reason 
of  the  great  outcry  they  made  at  their 
entrance  into  the  City,  which  was  no  other 
than  a  Postern  near  to  the  Castle,  into  which 
three  or  four  men  only  could  march  a-breast. 
Thus  then  I  return'd  to  the  end  of  the  Bridge, 
where  I  found  Monsieur  de  Salcede  all  alone, 
with  ten  or  a  dozen  of  the  Country  fellows 
whose  turn  it  was  to  rest ;  for  the  others 
that  were  in  the  Boats  cut  the  Ropes,  and  fled 
away  with  the  current  of  the  River  straight 
to  Montcallier,  those  on  the  top  that  were 
cutting    the    traverse    beams    on    that    side 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN  153 

towards  the  Swisse,  leaving  their  axes  and 
hatchets  upon  the  Bridge,  cast  themselves 
into  the  water  which  was  there  no  more 
than  wast  deep,  they  being  not  yet  come  to 
the  depth  of  the  River,  The  Swisse,  likewise, 
who  heard  this  dismal  noise,  fell  to  running 
towards  Carmagnolle,  having  an  opinion  that 
both  we  and  all  our  Camp  were  in  a  rout,  and 
taking  the  two  Cannons  along  with  them  made 
all  the  hast  they  possibly  could  to  recover 
Carmagnolle.  I  sent  one  of  my  Soldiers 
after  the  run-aways  to  enquire  news  of  my 
Lieutenant  Captain  Favas,  whom  he  met 
(having  rallyed  thirty  or  forty  of  his  men) 
returning  towards  the  Bridge,  to  see  what 
was  become  of  me,  believing  me  to  be  slain  ; 
who  presently  dispatch'd  away  to  Bogue- 
demar,  la  Pallu,  and  some  other  Captains 
who  had  made  a  halt,  rallying  some  part  of 
their  men  whom  he  caused  in  all  hast  to 
march  directly  towards  the  Bridge,  telling 
them  that  I  had  beaten  back  the  Enemy, 
who  thereupon  came  at  a  good  rate  to  seek 
me.  Captain  Favas  was  the  first  that  came, 
all  torn  and  tatter'd  like  a  skare-crow  ;  for- 
asmuch as  the  Soldiers  in  a  crowd  all  run 
over  his  belly  as  he  thought  to  have  rallyed, 
who  found  Monsieur  de  Salcede  and  me  at 
the  end  of  the  Bridge,  consulting  what   we 


154       BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

were  best  to  do.  So  soon  as  he  came  he  gave 
us  an  account  of  his  fortune,  and  that  of  the 
rest  of  his  companions,  when  seeing  him  so 
accoutred,  we  turn'd  all  into  laughter  ;  but 
the  hubub  in  our  Camp  continued  above  a 
long  hour  after. 

The  other  Captains  being  come  up  to  us, 
we  concluded  to  make  an  end  of  breaking 
down  the  Bridge,  or  there  to  lose  our  lives  ; 
whereupon  I  presently  took  fifty  or  three- 
score Soldiers,  and  Monsieur  de  Salcede  the 
ten  or  twelve  Country  fellows  he  had  left, 
giving  order  to  Captain  Favas,  Boguedemar, 
and  la  Pallu  to  remain  at  the  end  of  the 
Bridge  and  to  set  out  Centenels  almost  as 
far  as  the  Gates  of  the  City.  I  believ'd  that 
the  Italians,  notwithstanding  the  hurly-burly 
in  our  Camp,  were  yet  at  their  post,  and 
therefore  commanded  Captain  Favas  himself 
to  go  and  see  if  they  were  there  or  no  ;  who 
at  his  return  found  that  I  had  caus'd  fifteen 
or  twenty  Soldiers  to  take  up  the  axes  the 
Peasants  had  left  upon  the  Bridge,  who,  to- 
gether with  the  ten  or  twelve  Country  fellows, 
were  cutting  the  cross  beams  above  ;  where 
he  told  us  that  he  had  been  at  the  house, 
but  that  he  had  found  no  body  there. 
This  news  put  us  a  little  to  a  stand  what  we 
were  best  to  do  ;  but  nevertheless  we  stopt 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN  155 

not  to  execute  our  former  resolution  ;  and  so 
soon  as  the  tumult  was  a  little  over  came 
Messieurs  de  Termes  and  de  Moneins,  who 
brought  me  a  command  from  Mr  de 
Boitieres  immediately  to  retire.  The  said 
Sieur  de  Moneins  alighted  from  his  horse, 
for  Monsieur  de  Termes  could  not  for  his 
Gout,  and  came  to  me  on  foot,  where  he 
found  that  since  the  disorder  we  had  at  two 
cuttings  made  above  thirty  paces  of  the  Bridge 
to  fall,  and  were  falling  upon  the  third,  each 
of  them  being  fifteen  or  twenty  paces  long  ; 
who  thereupon  return'd  to  Monsieur  de 
Boitieres  to  acquaint  him  how  all  things  had 
pass'd,  Monsieur  de  Salcede  having  lost 
almost  all  his  Peasants  ;  but  that  our 
Soldiers  had  taken  their  axes,  with  which 
they  did  wonders  in  cutting,  and  that  all  the 
Captains  and  Soldiers  Monsieur  de  Salcede 
and  I  were  resolved  to  die  rather  than  depart 
from  thence,  till  first  the  Bridge  was  totally 
broken  down.  Monsieur  de  Boitieres  there- 
upon sent  him  back  to  protest  against  me  for 
any  loss  that  might  happen  contrary  to  his 
command,  which  the  said  Sieur  de  Moneins 
did,  telling  us  moreover  that  the  said  Sieur 
de  Boitieres  was  already  upon  his  march  to 
return,  though  he  halted  within  a  mile  of  us  ; 
which  I  conceive  he  did  to  the  end  that  by 


156        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

that  means  he  might  draw  me  off;  for  he 
wanted  no  courage,  but  he  was  always  in  fear 
to  lose.  Whoever  is  of  that  humor  may 
perhaps  make  a  shift  to  save  himself,  but 
shall  never  achieve  any  great  conquests. 
Monsieur  de  Termes  had  made  a  stop  at  the 
end  of  the  Bridge,  so  soon  as  he  had  heard 
Monsieur  de  Boitieres  to  be  upon  his  march, 
and  return'd  no  more  back  with  Monsieur 
de  Monleins  to  carry  my  answer  ;  but  pre- 
sently sent  orders  to  his  Company  not  to  stir 
from  the  place  where  he  had  left  them,  and 
so  we  cut  on  all  the  remainder  of  the  night 
'till  within  an  hour  of  day,  that  we 
march'd  towards  the  little  house  upon  the 
Hill.  Monsieur  de  Moneins  return'd  again 
to  us,  just  at  the  instant  when  the  last  blow 
was  given,  and  Monsieur  de  Termes  ran 
to  his  Company,  to  cause  them  to  advance 
a  little  towards  us  that  they  might  favour 
our  retreat,  and  Monsieur  de  Moneins  ran 
towards  Monsieur  de  Boitieres,  whom  he 
found  expecting  his  return  ;  so  that  having 
deprived  the  Enemy  of  a  great  convenience, 
we  retir'd  without  any  manner  of  impedi- 
ment at  all.  1  was  willing  to  commit  this 
to  writing,  not  to  magnifie  my  self  for  any 
great  valour  in  this  Action  ;  but  to  manifest 
to    all  the   world   how  God   has  ever  been 


THE   BRIDGE   OF   CARIGNAN  157 

pleased  to  conduct  my  fortune.  I  was 
neither  so  great  a  Fop  nor  so  fool  hardy 
but  that  could  I  have  seen  the  Enemy,  I 
should  have  retir'd  and  perhaps  have  run 
away  as  fast  as  the  rest,  and  it  had  been 
madness  and  not  valour  to  have  staid. 
Neither  is  there  any  shame  attends  a  rational 
fear  when  there  is  great  occasion  ;  and  I 
should  never  have  been  so  senseless  as  with 
thirty  or  fort)'  Foot  only  to  have  stood  the 
fight. 

Captains  by  this  may  take  exemple,  never 
to  run  away,  or  (to  put  it  into  a  better 
phrase)  to  make  a  hasty  retreat,  without 
first  discovering  who  there  is  to  pursue 
them,  and  moreover  having  seen  them, 
to  attempt  all  ways  of  opposition  till 
they  shall  see  there  is  no  good  to  be 
done.  For  after  all  the  means  that  God 
has  given  to  men  have  been  employed  and 
to  no  purpose,  then  flight  is  neither  shame- 
ful nor  unworthy  :  but  believe  me  (Gentle- 
men) if  you  do  not  employ  it  all,  every  one 
will  be  ready  to  say  (nay,  even  those  who 
have  run  away  with  you)  it  he  had  done 
this,  or  if  he  had  done  that,  the  mischief 
had  been  prevented  and  things  had  fallen 
out  better  than  they  did  ;  and  such  a  one 
vapours    most    and    speaks    highest,    who 


158        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

perhaps  was  himself  the  first  that  ran  away. 
Thus  shall  the  reputation  of  a  man  of 
honor  (let  him  be  as  brave  as  he  will) 
be  brought  into  dispute  with  all  the 
world.  When  there  is  no  more  to  be 
done  a  man  ought  not  to  be  obstinate, 
but  to  give  way  to  fortune,  which  does 
not  always  smile.  A  man  is  no  less  worthy 
of  blame  for  wilfully  losing  himself  when 
he  may  retire,  and  sees  himself  at  the  last 
extremity,  than  he  who  shamefully  runs 
away  at  the  first  encounter  :  Yet  the  one 
is  more  dirty  than  the  other ;  and  this 
difference  there  is  betwixt  them,  that  the 
one  will  make  you  reputed  rash  and  hair- 
brain'd,  and  the  other  a  Poltron  and  a 
Coward.  Both  extreams  are  to  be  avoided. 
You  are  never  to  enter  into  these  ridiculous 
and  senseless  resolutions  but  when  you  see 
your  selves  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a 
barbarous  and  merciless  Enemy ;  and  there 
indeed  you  are  to  fight  it  to  the  last  gasp, 
and  sell  your  skin  as  dear  as  you  can.  One 
desperate  man  is  worth  ten  others.  But  to 
fly,  as  they  did  here,  without  seeing  who 
pursues  you,  is  infamous  and  unworthy  of 
the  courage  of  a  man.  It's  true  that  the 
French  man  is  accus'd  for  one  thing,  that  is, 
that  he   runs  and  fights  for  company  :   and 


MONLUC'S   EMBASSY         159 

so  do  others  as  well  as  they.  There  are 
ill  workmen  of  all  Trades.  Now  after  the 
place  was  surrendered,  I  will  tell  you  how 
I  came  to  know  the  Enemies  disorder. 
It  was  by  the  people  of  Carignan  them- 
selves, and  from  Signior  Pedro  de  Colonna's 
own  mouth,  who  related  it  to  Susanne, 
in  the  presence  of  Captain  Renovard,  who 
conducted  him  to  the  King  by  the  command 
of  Monsieur  d'Anguien,  according  to  his 
capitulation  after  the  Battle  of  SerizoUes, 
which  you  shall  have  an  account  of  in 
its  proper  place. 

MoNLuc    IS    Sent    on    an    Embassy,    and 

PERSUADES      THE      KiNG      TO      AlLOW      A 

Battle  to  be  Fought 

At  the  arrival  of  this  brave  and  generous 
Pnnce,  which  promis'd  great  successes  under 
his  conduct,  he  being  endu'd  with  an  infinite 
number  of  shining  qualities,  as  being  gentle, 
affable,  valiant,  wise,  and  liberal  ;  all  the 
French  and  all  those  who  bore  arms  in  our 
favour,  did  very  much  rejoyce,  and  particu- 
larly I,  because  he  had  a  kindness  for  me, 
and  was  pleased  to  set  a  higher  esteem  upon 
me  than  I  could  any  way  deserve.  After  he 
had  taken  a  view  of  all  the  Forces,  Magazines, 


i6o        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

and  Places  that  we  held,  and  that  he  had 
taken  order  for  all  things  after  the  best 
manner  he  could,  about  the  beginning  of 
March  he  dispatch'd  me  away  to  the  King, 
to  give  his  Majesty  an  account  how  affairs 
stood,  and  withal  to  acquaint  him  that  the 
Marquis  de  Guast  was  raising  a  very  great 
Army,  to  whom  new  succours  of  Germans 
were  also  sent,  and  moreover  that  the  Prince 
of  Salerna  was  also  coming  from  Naples 
with  six  or  seven  thousand  Italians  under 
his  command.  It  was  at  the  time  when  the 
Emperor  and  the  King  of  England  were 
agreed  and  combin'd  together  jointly  to 
invade  the  Kingdom  of  France,  which  they 
had  also  divided  betwixt  them.  I  had 
waited  at  Court  near  upon  three  weeks  for 
my  dispatch,  having  already  acquitted  myself 
of  my  Commission,  which  was  in  sum  only 
to  demand  some  succours  of  the  King  and 
to  obtain  leave  to  fight  a  Battel.  And  about 
the  end  of  the  said  Month  came  Letters 
also  to  the  King  from  Monsieur  d'Anguien, 
wherein  he  gave  him  notice  that  seven  thou- 
sand Germans  were  already  arriv'd  at  Millan, 
of  the  best  of  those  the  Emperor  had  had 
before  Landreci,  where  there  were  seven 
Regiments  of  them  ;  but  being  he  could 
not  at   that    time   fight    with   the    King,   he 


MONLUC'S   EMBASSY         i6i 

commanded  the  seven  Colonels  to  choose  each 
a  thousand  out  of  their  respective  Regiments 
ordering  them  to  leave  their  Lieutenants  to 
get  their  Regiments  ready,  and  so  sent 
them  into  Italy  to  joyn  with  the  Marquis 
de  Guast.  Wherefore  the  said  Monsieur 
d'Anguien  humbly  besought  his  Majesty 
to  send  me  speedily  away  to  him,  and  also 
requested  him  that  he  would  please  to  do 
something  for  me,  as  a  reward  for  my 
former  services,  and  an  encouragement  to 
more  for  the  time  to  come.  Upon  which 
Letter  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  confer 
upon  me  the  office  of  a  Gentleman  Waiter 
(which  in  those  times  was  no  ordinary  favour  ; 
nor  so  cheap  as  now  a  days)  and  made  me  to 
wait  upon  him  at  Dinner,  commanding  me 
in  the  afternoon  to  make  myself  ready  to 
return  into  Piedmont,  which  I  accordingly 
did.  About  two  of  the  Clock  Monsieur 
de  Annebaut  sent  for  me  to  come  to  the 
King,  who  was  already  entred  into  the 
Council,  where  there  was  assisting  Monsieur 
de  St  Pol,  the  Admiral,  Monsieur  le  Grand 
Escuyer,  Galliot,  Monsieur  de  Boissy  (since 
grand  Escuyer),  and  two  or  three  others 
whom  I  have  forgot,  together  with  the 
Dauphin  who  stood  behind  the  Kings 
Chair ;  and  none  of  them  were  set,  but 
L 


1 62        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  King  himself,  Monsieur  de  St  Pol,  who 
sate  hard  by  him,  and  the  Admiral  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Table  over  against  the 
said  Sieur  de  St  Pol. 

So  soon  as  I  came  into  the  Chamber,  the 
King  said  to  me,  '  Montluc,  I  would  have 

*  you  return  into  Piedmont  to  carry  my 
'  determination  and  that  of  my  Council    to 

*  Monsieur  d'  Anguien,  and   will   that    you 

*  hear  the  difficulties  we  make  of  giving  him 

*  leave   to    fight    a    Battel   according    to    his 

*  desire,' and  thereupon  commanded  Monsieur 
de  St  Pol  to  speak.  The  said  Monsieur  de 
St  Pol  then  began  to  lay  open  the  enterprize 
of  the  Emperor  and  the  King  of  England, 
who  within  six  or  seven  weeks  were  de- 
termin'd  to  enter  into  the  Kingdom,  the  one 
on  the  one  side  and  the  other  on  the  other  ; 
so  that  should  Monsieur  d'  Anguien  lose 
the  Battel,  the  whole  Kingdom  would  be  in 
danger  to  be  lost  :  for  as  much  as  all  the 
Kings  hopes  (for  what  concerned  his  Foot) 
resided  in  the  regiments  he  had  in  Piedmont, 
tor  that  in  France  there  were  no  other  but 
what  were  new  Legionary  Soldiers,  and  that 
therefore  it  was  much  better  and  more 
safe  to  preserve  the  Kingdom  than  Piedmont, 
concerning  which  they  were  to  be  on  the 
defensive  part,  and  by  no  means  to  hazzard 


MONLUC'S   EMBASSY  163 

a  Battel,  the  loss  whereof  would  not  only 
lose  Piedmont  but  moreover  give  the 
Enemy  footing  on  that  side  of  the  Kingdom. 
The  Admiral  said  the  same,  and  all  the 
rest,  every  one  arguing  according  to  his  own 
fancy.  I  twitter'd  to  speak,  and  offering  to 
interrupt  Monsieur  de  Galliot  as  he  was 
delivering  his  opinion,  Monsieur  de  St  Pol 
made  a  sign  to  me  with  his  hand,  saying 
*  not  too  fast,  not  too  fast,'  which  made  me 
hold  my  peace,  and  I  saw  the  King  laugh. 
Monsieur  le  Dauphin  said  nothing,  I 
believe  it  is  not  the  custom,  though  the 
King  would  have  him  present  that  he  might 
learn  ;  for  before  Princes  there  are  evermore 
very  eloquent  debates,  but  not  always  the 
soundest  determinations  ;  for  they  never 
speak  but  by  halves,  and  always  sooth  their 
Masters  humor,  for  which  reason  I  should 
make  a  very  scurvy  Courtier  ;  for  I  must 
ever  speak  as  I  think.  The  King  then  said 
these  words  to  me,  *  Montluc,  have  you 
'  heard  the  Reasons  for  which  I  cannot  give 
'  Monsieur  d'  Anguien  leave  to  fight  ? '  to 
which  1  made  answer  that  I  had  both  heard 
and  weigh'd  them  very  well  ;  but  that  if  his 
Majesty  would  please  to  give  me  leave 
to  deliver  my  opinion  I  would  very  gladly 
do   it  :    not  that   nevertheless    for    that    his 


164        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Majesty  should  any  ways  alter  what  had 
already  been  determin'd  in  his  Council. 
His  Majesty  then  told  me  that  he  would 
permit  me  to  do  so,  and  that  I  might  freely 
say  whatsoever  I  would.  Whereupon  I 
began  after  this  manner.  1  remember  it  as 
well  as  it  had  been  but  three  days  ago  ; 
God  has  given  me  a  very  great  memory  in 
these  kind  of  things,  for  which  I  render 
him  hearty  thanks  ;  for  it  is  a  great  con- 
tentment to  me,  now  that  I  have  nothing 
else  to  do,  to  recollect  my  former  fortunes, 
and  to  call  to  mind  the  former  passages 
of  my  life,  to  set  them  truly  down  without 
any  manner  of  addition  ;  for  be  they  good 
or  bad  you  shall  have  them  as  they  are. 
*  Sir, — I  think  myself  exceedingly  happy 

*  as  well  that  you  are  pleased  I  shall  deliver 

*  my   poor  opinion  upon  a  subject  that  has 

*  already    been    debated    in    your    Majesties 

*  Council,  as  also  that  I  am  to  speak  to   a 

*  Warlike  King  ;  for  both  before  your  Majesty 

*  was  call'd  to  this  great  charge,  which  God 

*  has  conferr'd  upon  You,  and  also  since,  you 
'  have  as  much  tempted  the  fortune  of  War 

*  as  any  King  that  ever  rul'd  in  France,  and 
'  that  without  sparing  your  own  Royal  Person 

*  any  more  than  the  meanest  Gentleman  of 
'  your  Kingdom  ;  wherefore  I  need  not  fear 


MONLUC*S   EMBASSY         165 

*  freely  to  deliver  my  opinion,  being  to  speak 

*  both  to  a  King  and  a  Soldier.'  (Here  the 
Dauphin,  who  stood  behind  the  Kings 
Chair,  and  just  over  against  me,  gave  me 
a  nod  with  his  head,  by  which  I  guess'd  he 
would  have  me  to  speak  boldly,  and  that 
gave  me  the  greater  assurance,  though, 
in  plain  truth,  I  had  ever  confidence  enough, 
and  fear  never  stop'd  my  mouth.)  *  Sir,' 
said  I,  *  we  are  betwixt  five  and  six  thousand 

Gascons  upon  the  List,  for  your  Majesty 
knows  that  the  Companies  are  never  fully 
compleat ;  neither  can  all  ever  be  at  the 
Battel  ;  but  I  make  account  we  shall  be 
five  thousand  and  five  or  six  hundred 
Gascons  compleat,  that  I  dare  make  good 
to  your  Majesty  upon  my  Honor  :  Of 
these  every  Captain  and  Soldier  will  present 
you  with  a  List  of  all  their  names,  and  the 
places  from  whence  we  come,  and  will 
engage  our  heads  to  you,  all  of  us  to  fight 
in  the  day  of  Battel,  if  your  Majesty  will 
please  to  grant  it,  and  give  us  leave  to 
fight.  'Tis  the  only  thing  we  have  so 
long  expected  and  desir'd,  without  sneaking 
thus  up  and  down  from  place  to  place 
and  hiding  our  heads  in  corners.  Believe 
me.  Sir,  the  world  has  not  more  resolute 
Soldiers  than  these  are,  they  desire  nothing 


t66        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

more  than  once  to  come  to  the  decision  of 
Arms.  To  these  there  are  thirteen  Ensigns 
of  Swisse  :  Of  which  the  six  of  St  JuHen 
I  know  much  better  than  those  of  le 
Baron,  which  Fourly  commands,  yet  I 
have  seen  them  all  muster'd,  and  there 
may  be  as  many  of  them  as  of  ours.  These 
will  make  you  the  same  promise  we  do, 
who  are  your  natural  Subjects,  and  deliver 
in  the  names  of  all  to  be  sent  to  their 
Cantons,  to  the  end  that  if  any  man  fail 
in  his  duty,  he  may  be  cashier'd,  and 
degraded  from  all  practice  of  Arms  for 
ever.  A  condition  to  which  they  are  all 
ready  to  submit,  as  they  assured  me  at 
my  departure.  And  being  of  the  same 
Nation,  1  make  no  doubt  but  those  of 
le  Baron  will  do  the  same.  Your  Majesty 
may  have  taken  notice  of  them  all  before 
Landrecy.  Here  then.  Sir,  are  nine 
thousand  men  or  more,  on  which  you  may 
depend  and  assure  your  self  that  they  will 
fight  to  the  last  gasp  of  their  lives.  As  for 
the  Italians  and  Proven9als  which  are  under 
Monsieur  des  Cros,  and  also  the  Fribourgers 
that  came  to  us  before  Ivre6,  I  shall  not 
take  upon  me  to  become  security  for  them, 
but  I  hope  they  will  all  do  as  well  as  we, 
especially  when  they  shall  see  how  we  lay 


MONLUC'S   EMBASSY         167 

*  about  us  (at  which  I  lifted  up  my  arm  (in 
the  earnestness  of  speaking)  as  if  I  were 
going   to    strike,  whereat  the  King  smil'd.) 

*  You  should  also,  Sir,  have  four  hundred  men 

*  at  arms  in  Piedmont,  of  which  there  may 

*  well  be  three  hundred,  and  as  many  Archers, 

*  as  well  disposed  as  we.     You  have  four 

*  Captains     of     Light     horse,     which     are 

*  Messieurs  de  Termes,  d'  Aussun,  Francisco 

*  Bernardin,  and  Maure,  each  of  which  ought 

*  to  have  two  hundred  Light  horse,  and 
'  amongst   them   all    they  will    furnish    you 

*  with  five  or  six  hundred  Horse,  all  which 
'  are  ambitious  to  manifest  the  zeal  they  have 

*  to   your   Service.     I  know  what    they  are 

*  and  what  they  will  do  very  well.'  The 
King  then  began  to  be  a  little  angry  to 
hear  that  the  Companies  of  the  Gens- 
d'Armes  were  not  all  compleat  :  but  I  told 
him  that  it  was  impossible  ;  forasmuch  as 
some  of  them  had  obtained  leave  of 
their  Captains  to  go  home  to  their  own 
houses  to  refresh  themselves,  and  others 
were  sick  ;  but  that  if  his  Majesty  would 
please  to  give  leave  to  those  Gentlemen 
who  would  beg  it  of  him  to  be  present  at 
the  Battel,  they  would  very  well  supply 
that  default.  *  Since  then.  Sir,'  said  I, 
(continuing    my    discourse)   *  that   I   am    so 


1 68        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

happy  as  to  speak  before  a  Soldier  King, 
who  would  you  have  to  kill  ten  thousand 
Foot,  and  a  thousand  or  twelve  hundred 
Horse,  all  resolute  to  overcome  or  dye  ? 
Such  men  as  these,  and  so  resolv'd,  are 
not  so  easily  defeated  :  neither  are  they 
Novices  in  War.  We  have  several  times 
attaqu'd  the  Enemy  upon  equal  terms,  and 
for  the  most  part  beaten  them.  And  I 
dare  boldly  say  that  had  we  all  of  us  one 
arm  ty'd  behind  us,  it  would  not  be  in  the 
power  of  the  Enemy  to  kill  us  all  in  a 
whole  days  time,  without  losing  the 
greatest  part  of  their  Army,  and  the  choicest 
of  their  men.  Imagine  then  when  we  have 
both  our  arms  at  liberty,  and  our  weapons 
in  our  hands,  how  easie  it  will  be  to  beat 
us.  Truly,  Sir,  I  have  heard  great  Captains 
discourse,  and  say  that  an  Army  of  twelve 
or  fifteen  thousand  men  is  sufficient  to 
confront  an  Army  of  thirty  thousand  ;  for 
'tis  not  the  crowd  but  the  courage  that 
overcomes,  and  in  a  Battel  the  one  half 
of  them  never  comes  to  fight.  We  desire 
no  more  than  we  have,  let  us  deal  it  out.' 
(The  Dauphin  all  this  while  stood  laughing 
behind  the  King's  Chair,  and  still  made  signs 
to  me,  for  by  my  behaviour  I  seem'd  already 
to  be  in  Battel.)     '  No,  No,  Sir,  these  are  not 


MONLUCS    EMBASSY         169 

men  to  be  beaten,  and  if  these  Lords  who 
have  spoken  had  once  seen  them  at  their 
work,  they  would  alter  their  opinion,  and 
so  would  your  Majesty  too.  These  are 
not  men  to  lye  dozing  in  a  Garrison,  they 
require  an  Enemy,  and  have  a  mind  to 
shew  their  valour  ;  they  beg  leave  of  you 
to  fight,  and  if  you  deny  them,  you  take 
away  their  spirits,  and  give  it  to  your 
Enemies,  who  will  be  puffed  with  vanity 
to  see  themselves  fear'd,  whilst  your  own 
Army  shall  moulder  away  to  nothing.  By 
what  I  have  heard,  Sir,  all  that  these  Lords 
stumble  at,  who  have  deliver'd  their 
opinions  before  }Ou,  is  the  apprehension 
of  losing  the  Battel,  and  that  makes  them 
always  cry,  if  we  lose,  if  we  lose  ;  but  I 
have  not  heard  one  of  them  tell  you,  if  we 
win  it,  what  great  advantages  will  thereby 
accrue.  For  Gods  sake.  Sir,  fear  not  to  grant 
our  request,  and  let  me  not  return  with 
such  a  shame  upon  me  that  men  shall  say 
you  durst  not  trust  the  hazard  of  a  Battel 
in  our  hands,  who  so  voluntarily  and 
chearfully  make  a  tender  of  our  lives  to  do 
you  service.' 
The  King  who  had  very  attentively 
hearkened  to  me,  and  that  was  delighted 
at   my  gestures  and  impatience,  turn'd  his 


lyo        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

eyes  towards  Monsieur  de  St  Pol,  who 
thereupon  said  to  him,  '  Sir,  will  you  alter 
your  determination  at  the  importunity  of 
this  Coxcomb,  that  cares  for  nothing  but 
fighting,  and  has  no  sense  of  the  misfortune 
nor  the  inconveniences  that  the  loss  of  a 
Battel  would  bring  upon  you  ?  Believe  me. 
Sir,  'tis  a  thing  of  too  great  importance  to 
be  referr'd  to  the  discretion  of  a  young  hair- 
brain'd  Gascon.'  To  whom  I  made  answer 
1  these  very  words.  '  My  Lord,  assure 
your  self  I  am  neither  a  Bragadochio  nor 
so  arrant  a  Coxcomb  as  you  take  me  for  ; 
neither  do  I  say  this  out  of  Bravado,  and  if 
you  will  please  to  call  to  mind  all  the 
intelligences  his  Majesty  has  received  since 
we  return'd  from  Perpignan  into  Piedmont, 
you  will  find  that  whenever  we  encountered 
the  Enemy,  whether  on  horseback  or  on 
foot,  we  have  always  beaten  them,  except- 
ing when  Monsieur  d'Aussun  was  defeated  ; 
who  also  miscarried  through  no  other  de- 
fault than  for  attempting  to  retreat  at  the 
head  of  an  Army,  which  a  prudent  Captain 
never  ought  to  do.  It  is  not  yet  three 
months  (I  am  sure  you  have  heard  it,  for 
it  is  known  to  all  the  world)  since  the  two 
brave  Combats  we  fought  both  on  foot 
and  on  horseback  in  the  plain  over  against 


MONLUC'S    EMBASSY         171 

St  Fre,  first  against  the  Italians,  and  since 
against  the  Spaniards,  and  both  in  ten  days 
time  ;  and  Monsieur  d'Aussun  fifteen  days 
before  he  was  taken  fought  and  defeated 
an  entire  Regiment  of  Germans.  Consider 
then  we  that  are  in  heart,  and  they  in  fear  ; 
we  that  are  Conquerours,  and  they  beaten  ; 
we  who  despise  them,  whilst  they  tremble 
at  us  ;  what  difference  there  is  betwixt  us. 
When  should  it  be  that  the  King  should 
give  us  leave  to  fight,  if  not  now  that 
we  are  in  this  condition  in  Piedmont .''  It 
must  not  be  when  we  have  been  beaten 
that  his  Majesty  ought  to  do  it  ;  but  now 
that  we  are  in  breath  and  flesh'd  with 
conquest.  Neither  is  there  any  thought 
to  be  taken,  save  only  to  take  good  heed 
that  we  assault  them  not  in  a  Fortress  as  we 
did  at  the  Bicoque  :  but  Monsieur  d'Anguien 
has  too  many  good  and  experienced  Captains 
about  him  to  commit  such  an  error  ;  and 
there  will  be  no  other  question  if  not  how 
to  tempt  them  into  the  open  field  where 
there  shall  be  neither  hedge  nor  ditch  to 
hinder  us  from  coming  to  grapple  with  them, 
and  then.  Sir,  you  shall  hear  news  of  one 
of  the  most  furious  Battels  that  ever  was 
fought  and  I  most  humbly  beseech  your 
Majesty  to  expect  no  other  news  but  that 


172        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

*of  a  great  and  glorious  victory,  which  it 

*  God  give  us  the  grace  to  obtain  (as  I  hold 
'  myself  assured  we  shall)  you  will  so  stop 

*  the  Emperor  and  the  King  of  England  in 

*  the  midst  of  their  carreer,  that  they  shall  not 

*  know  which  way  to  turn  them.'  The 
Dauphin  still  continued  laughing  more  than 
before,  and  still  making  signs,  which  gave 
me  still  the  greater  assurance  to  speak.  All 
the  rest  of  them  then  spoke  every  one  in  his 
turn,  and  said  that  his  Majesty  ought  by  no 
means  to  rely  upon  my  words  :  only  the 
Admiral  said  nothing,  but  smiled  ;  and  I 
believe  he  perceiv'd  the  signs  the  Dauphin 
made  me,  they  being  almost  opposite  to 
one  another ;  but  Monsieur  de  St  Pol 
reply'd  again,  saying  to  the  King  :  '  What, 
'  Sir,  it  seems  you  have  a  mind  to  alter  your 

*  determination,  and   to  be   led  away  at  the 

*  persuasion  of  this  frantick  fool '  :  to  which 
the    King    made    answer,    'By    my    Faith, 

*  Cozen,  he  has  given  me  so  great  reasons, 
'  and  so  well  represented  to  me  the  courage 

*  of  my  Soldiers,  that  1  know  not  what  to  say.' 
To  which  Monsieur  de  St  Pol  reply'd, 
'  Nay,  Sir,  I  see  you  are  already  chang'd  ; ' 
(now  he  could  not  see  the  signs  the  Dauphin 
made  me,  as  the  Admiral  could,  for  he  had 
his  back  towards  him)  whereupon  the  King 


MONLUC'S    EMBASSY         173 

directing  his  speech  to  the  Admiral,  ask'd 
him  what  he  thought  of  the  business,  who 
again  smiling  return'd  his  Majesty  this 
answer,    *  Sir,   will    you    confess    the  truth  ? 

*  You  have  a  great  mind  to  give  them  leave 
'  to  fight,  which  if  they  do,  I  dare  not  assure 
'  you  either  of  victory  or  disgrace  ;  for  God 
'  alone  only  knows  what  the  issue  will  be  : 
*but   I    dare  pawn  my  life  and  reputation 

*  that  all   those  he  has   named   to  you  will 

*  fight    like    men    of  honor ;    for    I    know 

*  their  bravery  very  well,  as  having  had  the 

*  honour  to  command  them.     Do  only  one 

*  thing.  Sir,  (for  we  see  you  are  already  half 
'  overcome,  and  that  you  rather  incline  to 
'  a  Battel   than  otherwise)  address    yourself 

*  to  Almighty  God,  and  humbly  beg  of  him, 

*  in  this  perplexity,  to  assist   you   with   his 

*  Counsel,  what  you  were  best  to  do.'  Which 
having  said,  the  King,  throwing  his  Bonnet 
upon  the  Table,  lift  up  his  eyes  towards 
heaven,  and,  joining  his  hands,  said  :    '  My 

*  God,  I  beseech  thee,  that  thou  wilt  be 
'  pleased  to  direct  me  this  day  what  I  ought 

*  to  do  for  the  preservation  of  my  Kingdom,  and 
'let  all  be  to  thy  honor  and  glory.'  Which 
having  said,  the  Admiral  ask'd  him,  *  I 
'  beseech  you.  Sir,  what  opinion  are  you 
'now  of.'''     When  the   King,  after  a  little 


174        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

pause,  turning  towards  me,  with  great 
vehemency  cryed  out,  '  Let  them  fight,  let 

*  them  fight.'    '  Why  then,'  says  the  Admiral, 

*  there  is  no  more  to  be  said,  if  you  lose 
'the  Battel,   you  alone   are    the    cause,  and 

*  if  you  overcome  the  same,  and  alone  shall 

*  enjoy  the  satisfaction,  having  alone  consented 
*to  it.'  This  being  said,  the  King  and  all 
the  rest  arose,  and  I  was  ready  to  leap  out 
of  my  skin  for  joy.  The  King  then  fell 
to  talking  with  the  Admiral  about  my 
dispatch,  and  to  take  order  for  our  Pay  which 
was  a  great  deal  in  arrear.  Monsieur  de  St 
Pol  in  the  mean  time  drew  near  unto  me, 
and  smiling  said,  *  thou  mad  Devil,  thou 
*wilt  be  the  cause  either  of  the  greatest 
'  good    or    the    greatest    mischief  that    can 

*  possibly  befall  the  King,'  (now  you  must 
know  that  the  said  Sieur  de  St  Pol  had 
not  spoken  anything  for  any  ill  will  that 
he  bore  me,  for  he  lov'd  me  as  well  as 
any  Captain  in  France,  and  of  old,  having 
known  me  at  the  time  when  I  serv'd  under 
the  Mareschal  de  Foix)  and  moreover  told 
me  that  it  was  very  necessary  I  should 
speak  to  all  the  Captains  and  Soldiers, 
and  tell  them  that  the  confidence  his 
Majesty  repos'd  in  our  worth  and  valour 
had    made    him    condescend    to    permit    us 


MONLUC'S   EMBASSY         175 

to  fight,  and  not  reason,  considering  the 
condition  he  was  then  in.  To  whom  I 
reply'd,  *My  Lord,  I  most  humbly  beseech 
*you    not    to    fear,    or    so    much    as    doubt 

*  but  that  we  shall  win  the  Battel,  and  assure 

*  your  self  that  the  first  news  you  will  hear 
'will  be  that  we  have  made  them  all  into 
*a  Fricasse,  and  may  eat  them  if  we  will.' 
The  King  then  came  to  me  and  laid  his 
hand  upon  my  Shoulder,  saying,  '  Montluc, 

*  recommend  me  to  my  Cozen  d'Anguien 
*and  to  all  the  Captains  in  those  parts,  of 
*what  Nation  soever,  and  tell  them  that 
'  the  great  confidence  I  have  in  their  fidelity 
*and  valour  has  made  me  condescend  that 
'  they   shall  fight,   entreating  them  to  serve 

*  me    very   well    upon    this    occasion,   for    I 

*  never  think   to  be  in   so  much  need  again 

*  as  at  this  present,  that  now  therefore  is 
'  the  time  wherein  they  are  to  manifest 
'  the  kindness  they  have  for  me,  and  that 
'  I  will  suddainly  send  them  the  money 
'they  desire.'  To  which  I  made  answer, 
'  Sir,  I  shall  obey  your  commands,  and 
'  this  will  be  a  cordial  to  chear  them  and  a 

*  spur  to  the  good  disposition  they  already 

*  have  to  fight,  and  1  most  humbly  beseech  your 
'  Majesty,  not  to  remain  in  doubt  concerning 

*  the  issue  of  our  fight,  for  that  will  only  dis- 


176        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

'  compose  your  spirit ;  but  chear  up  your  self 

*  in  expectation  of  the  good  news  you  will 
'  shortly  hear  of  us  ;  for  my  mind  presages 

*  well,  and  it  never  yet  deceived  me '  ;  and 
thereupon,  kissing  his  hand,  I  took  my  leave 
of  his  Majesty.  The  Admiral  then  bid  me 
go  and  stay  for  him  in  the  Wardrobe,  and 
whether  it  was  Monsieur  de  Marchemont  or 
Monsieur  Bayart  that  went  down  with  me,  I 
cannot  tell  :  but  going  out,  I  found  at  the 
door  Messieurs  de  Dampierre,  de  St  Andre, 
and  d'Assier,  with  three  or  four  others  who 
demanded  of  me  if  I  carried  leave  to 
Monsieur  d'Anguien  to  fight,  to  whom  I 
made  answer  in  Gascon,  '  hares  y  harem  aux 

*  pics,  (2f  patacs  '  ;  go  in  presently,  if  you  have 
any  stomach  to  the  entertainment,  before 
the  Admiral  depart  from  the  King,  which 
they  accordingly  did,  and  there  was  some 
dispute  about  their  leave  :  but  in  the  end  his 
Majesty  consented  they  should  go  ;  which 
nothing  impair'd  the  feast  ;  for  after 
them  came  above  a  hundred  Gentlemen  post 
to  be  present  at  the  Battel.  Amongst  others 
the  Sieurs  de  Jarnac  and  de  Chatillon,  since 
Admiral,  the  Son  of  the  Admiral  d'Annebaut, 
the  Vidame  of  Chartres,  and  several  others  ; 
of  which  not  one  was  slain  in  the  Battel,  save 
only  Monsieur  d'Assier,  whom  I  lov'd  more 


MONLUC'S   EMBASSY         177 

than  my  own  heart,  and  Chamans  who  was 
wounded  when  I  fought  the  Spaniards  in  the 
plain  of  Perpignan  ;  some  others  there  were 
that  were  hurt,  but  none  that  dyed.  There 
is  not  a  Prince  in  the  world  who  has  so 
frank  a  Gentry  as  ours  has,  the  least  smile  of 
their  King  will  enflame  the  coldest  constitu- 
tion, without  any  thought  of  fear,  to  convert 
Mills  and  Vineyards  into  Horses  and  Arms, 
and  they  go  Volunteers  to  dye  in  that  bed 
which  we  Soldiers  call  the  bed  of  honor. 

Being  arrived  soon  after  at  the  Camp,  I 
acquitted  my  self  of  my  charge  towards 
Monsieur  d'  Anguien,  and  presented  him 
my  Letters  from  the  King,  who  was 
infinitely  overjoy 'd,  and  embracing  me  in 
his  arms,  said  these  very  words  :  '  I  knew 
'very  well  that  thou  wouldst  not  bring  us 
'  peace,'  and  turning  to  the  Gentlemen  about 
him,  *  Well,  my  Masters,'  said  he,  *  the 
'King  is  pleased  to  gratifie  our  desire,  we  must 
'go  to  't.'  I  then  gave  him  an  account  of 
the  difficulty  I  had  met  with  in  obtaining 
that  leave,  and  that  the  King  himself  was 
the  only  cause  of  it,  which  ought  the  more 
to  encourage  us  to  behave  our  selves  bravely 
in  the  Battel.  He  was  moreover  very  glad 
when  I  told  him  that  the  forementioned 
Lords  were  coming  after  me,  being  certain 

M 


1 78        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

that  several  others  would  also  follow  after 
them,  as  they  did.  Bidding  me  by  all  means 
go  discharge  myself  of  his  Majesties  com- 
mands to  all  the  Colonels,  Captains  of  the 
Gens  d'Armes,  Light  horse,  and  Foot ;  which 
I  did,  not  observing  one  that  did  not 
mightily  rejoyce,  when  I  gave  them  to  under- 
stand what  assurance  I  had  given  the  King 
of  the  victory.  Neither  did  I  satisfie  my 
self  with  speaking  to  the  Officers  only  ;  but 
moreover  went  amongst  the  Soldiers,  assur- 
ing them  that  we  should  all  be  highly 
recompenc'd  by  the  King,  making  the  matter 
something  better  than  it  was  ;  for  a  man 
must  now  and  then  lye  a  little  for  his 
Master. 

The  Day  of  CiiRisoLEs 

Now  being  we  had  the  day  before  left  the 
Enemy  in  the  Plain  betwixt  Sommerive  and 
Cerizolles,  Monsieur  d'Anguien  did  not  very 
well  know  whether  they  might  be  at 
Sommerive  or  at  Cerizolles,  notwithstanding 
that  the  Governor  of  Sommerive  had  sent 
him  word  that  the  Camp  intended  to  quarter 
there.  Signior  Francisco  Berdardin  there- 
fore sent  out  three  or  four  of  his  Light  horse 
towards  the  said  Cerizolles,  who  went  so  near 


CERISOLES  179 

that  they  discover'd  their  Camp,  which  was 
already  in  arms,  and  the  Drums  beginning  to 
beat.  That  which  had  made  them  return  to 
CerizoUes,  was  to  stay  for  the  Spanish  Foot, 
who  were  gone  for  the  two  pieces  of  Canon, 
as  has  been  said  before.  Monsieur  de 
Termes  likewise  sent  out  again  three  or  four 
of  his  people  also,  and  in  the  mean  time  we 
march'd  underneath  toward  Sommerive  ;  but 
so  soon  as  the  Light  horse  return 'd  with  the 
same  intelligence,  we  turn'd  on  the  left  hand, 
and  come  up  into  the  Plain,  where  the  whole 
Army  was,  and  there  made  a  halt.  And  there 
Monsieur  d'Anguien  and  Monsieur  de  Tais 
gave  me  all  the  Harquebusiers  to  lead,  for 
which  honor  I  returned  him  my  most  humble 
thanks,  telling  him  that  I  hoped,  by  Gods 
assistance,  to  acquit  my  self  so  well  of  my 
charge  that  he  should  remain  satisfied  with 
my  service,  and  said  as  much  to  Monsieur  de 
Tais,  who  was  my  Colonel,  and  who  came 
and  commanded  all  the  Captains  and 
Lieutenants  that  I  would  take  to  obey  me 
equally  with  himself. 

I  then  took  four  Lieutenants,  namely  le 
BrUeil  (whom  I  have  mentioned  before)  le 
Gasquet,  Captain  Lienard,  and  Captain  Favas, 
who  was  my  own  Lieutenant.  To  Favas 
and  Lienard  I  gave  the  right  wing,  and  my 


i8o        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

self  with  the  two  other  took  the  left,  leading 
towards  the  little  house  that  was  afterwards 
so  much  disputed  ;  and  it  was  ordered  that 
the  Swisse  which  were  commanded  by  Mon- 
sieur de  Boitieres  (who  a  little  before  the 
rumor  of  the  Battel  had  been  recall'd  from 
his  own  house)  and  we  should  fight  together 
in  the  Vantguard  ;  the  Battel  was  to  be  con- 
ducted by  Monsieur  d'Anguien,  having  under 
his  Cornet  all  the  young  Lords  that  came 
from  Court,  and  the  Rear-guard  was  com- 
manded by  Monsieur  d'Ampierre,  wherein 
were  four  thousand  Fribourgers,  and  three 
thousand  Italians,  led  by  the  Sieur  de 
Dros  and  des  Cros,  together  with  all  the 
Guidons  and  Archers  of  Companies,  Now 
there  was  a  little  Eminence  that  dipt  towards 
Cerizolles  and  Sommerive,  which  was  all  on 
a  little  Copse,  but  not  very  thick  ;  the  first 
of  the  Enemy  that  we  saw  enter  into  the 
Plain  to  come  towards  us  were  the  seven 
thousand  Italians  conducted  by  the  Prince  of 
Salerna,  and  in  the  flank  of  them  three  hundred 
Launciers,  commanded  by  Rodolpho  Baglione, 
who  belonged  to  the  great  Duke  of  Florence. 
The  Skirmish  began  by  this  little  Hill,  on 
the  descent  whereof  the  Enemy  had  made 
a  halt  just  over  against  us,  and  as  soon  as  the 
skirmish  was  begun,  I  gave  one  Squadron  to 


CERISOLES  i8i 


Captain  Brueille,  being  that  which  was  nearest 
to  me,  and  the  hindmost  to  Captain  Gasquet, 
about  two  hundred  paces  distant  the  one 
from  the  other,  and  of  my  own  I  gave  forty 
or  fifty  Harquebusiers  to  a  Serjeant  of  mine 
called  Arnaut  de  St  Clair,  a  valiant  man  and 
one  that  very  well  understood  his  business, 
and  1  my  self  stood  for  a  reserve.  Being  at 
the  foresaid  little  house,  I  discover'd  three 
or  four  Companies  of  Spanish  Harquebusiers, 
who  came  full  drive  to  possess  themselves  of 
the  house,  and  in  the  mean  time  Favas  and 
Lienard  fought  the  Italians  in  the  valley  on 
the  right  hand.  The  skirmish  grew  hot  on 
both  sides,  the  Enemy  one  while  beating  me 
up  to  the  house,  and  I  again  other  whiles 
driving  them  back  to  their  own  party  ;  for 
they  had  another  that  was  come  up  to  second 
the  first,  and  it  seem'd  as  if  we  had  been 
playing  at  Base,  but  in  the  end  I  was  con- 
strain'd  to  call  Captain  Brueille  up  to  me,  for  I 
saw  all  their  Foot  embody  together,  with  a 
Troop  of  Horse  to  flank  them.  Now  had  I 
not  so  much  as  one  horse  with  me,  notwith- 
standing that  1  had  advertised  Monsieur 
d' Anguien  that  their  Cavalry  was  also  with  the 
Harquebusiers  that  came  up  to  me.  Let  it 
suflfice,  that  of  a  long  time  no  body  came, 
insomuch  that  I  was  constrained  to  quit  the 


1 82        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

house ;  but  not  without  a  great  dispute, 
which  continued  for  a  very  great  space.  I 
then  sent  back  Captain  Brueille  to  his 
place,  the  skirmish  continued  for  almost  four 
hours  without  intermission,  and  never  did 
men  acquit  themselves  better.  Monsieur 
d'Anguien  then  sent  Monsieur  d'Aussun  unto 
me,  commanding  me  to  repossess  myself  of  the 
house,  which  was  neither  of  advantage  nor 
disadvantage  to  me  ;  to  whom  I  made  answer 

*  Go  and  tell  Monsieur   d'Anguien  that   he 

*  must  then  send  me  some  Horse,  to  fight 
'  these  Horse  that  flank  their  Harquebusiers 

*  (which  he  also  saw  as  well  as  I)  for  I  am  not 

*  to  fight  Horse  and  Foot  together  in  the  open 
'  field.'     He  then  said  to  me  :  '  It  is  enough 

*  for  me  that  I  have  told  you,'  and  so  return 'd 
to  carry  back  my  answer  to  Monsieur 
d'Anguien  ;  who  thereupon  sent  Monsieur 
de  Moneins  to  tell  me  that  one  way  or 
another  he  would  that  I  should  regain  it, 
with  whom  also  came  the  Seigneur  Cabry, 
Brother  to  Seigneur  Maure,  bringing  with 
him  threescore  Horse,  all  Launciers,  and 
Monsieur  de  Moneins  might  have  about 
some  five  and  twenty,  he  being  then  but 
beginning  to  raise  his  Troop.  To  whom 
1  return'd  the  same  answer  I  had  given  before 
to  Monsieur  d'Aussun,  and  that  I  would  not 


CERISOLES  183 

be  cause  of  the  loss  of  the  Battel  :  but  that 
if  they  would  go  charge  those  Horse  that 
flank'd  the  Harquebusiers,  I  would  quickly 
regain  the  house.  They  then  answer'd  that 
I  had  reason,  and  that  they  were  ready  to  do 
it.  Whereupon  I  presently  sent  to  Captain 
Brueil  to  come  up  to  me,  and  to  Captain 
Gasquet  to  advance  to  his  place,  and  immedi- 
ately Captain  Brueil  coming  up  on  the  right 
hand,  and  the  Horse  in  the  middle,  we 
march'd  at  a  good  round  trot  directly  up  to 
them  ;  for  we  were  not  above  three  hundred 
paces  distant  from  one  another.  All  this 
while  the  skirmish  never  ceased,  and  as  we 
drew  within  a  hundred  or  six  score  paces  off 
them,  we  began  to  fire,  upon  which  the 
Cavalry  fac'd  about,  and  their  Foot  also,  and 
I  saw  their  Launciers  turn  their  backs, 
retreating  to  their  Troops.  Monsieur  de 
Moneins,  and  Seigneur  Cabry  went  immedi- 
ately hereupon  to  Monsieur  d'  Anguien,  to 
tell  him  what  they  had  seen  their  Cavalry 
do,  and  that  if  he  did  not  send  me  up  Horse 
to  second  me,  I  could  not  choose  but  be 
routed.  I  sent  back  Captain  Brueil  and 
Gasquet  into  their  places. 

Now  there  was  a  little  Marish  near  unto 
CerizoUes,  and  a  great  hollow  way,  which 
hindred  the  Enemy  that  they  could  not  come 


1 84        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

up  to  us  drawn  up  in  Battalia :  and  the 
Marquis  de  Guast  had  caused  six  pieces  of 
Artillery  to  pass  over  this  marish,  and  they 
were  already  advanc'd  a  good  way  on  this 
side,  when  seeing  their  people  driven  back 
they  were  afraid  that  the  whole  Army 
followed  the  pursuit,  and  that  they  should 
lose  their  Canon.  Wherefore  they  presently 
made  the  Germans  to  pass  over  this  marish, 
and  thorough  the  said  hollow  way,  who,  so 
soon  as  they  came  into  the  plain,  drew  up 
again  into  Battalia  ;  for  it  was  not  possible 
for  them  to  pass,  but  in  great  disorder,  and 
in  the  mean  time  the  Cavalry  and  Spanish 
Harquebusiers  came  up  to  me  as  before  ; 
insomuch  that  having  no  Horse  with  me,  I 
was  necessitated  to  quit  them  the  place,  and 
to  retire  to  the  place  from  whence  I  came. 

Now  I  had  discover'd  their  German  Foot 
and  their  Artillery,  and  as  I  was  retiring. 
Monsieur  de  Termes  and  Signior  Francisco 
Bernardin  came,  and  plac'd  themselves  on 
the  right  hand  of  our  Battaillon,  and  upon 
the  skirt  of  the  Hill  (which  was  very  straight) 
and  over  against  the  Battaillon  of  the  Italians  ; 
for  their  Launciers  were  exactly  opposite  to 
our  Pikes.  Monsieur  de  Boitieres  with  his 
Company  and  that  of  the  Count  de  Tande 
advanc'd  on  the  left  hand  of  our  Battail,  and 


CERISOLES  185 

the  Swisse  were  three  or  four  score  paces 
behind  us,  and  a  little  on  the  one  side  : 
In  the  mean  time  our  Harquebusiers  that 
were  conducted  by  Lienard  and  Captain 
Favas  sometimes  beat  back  the  Enemy 
as  far  as  their  main  Battalia  and  sometimes 
the  Enemy  repell'd  them  up  to  ours.  I  saw 
then  that  I  must  of  necessity  disarm  our 
Battaillon  of  the  Harquebusiers  that  made 
our  flank  on  that  side  where  Monsieur  de 
Boitieres  stood,  and  give  them  to  them, 
wherewith  to  make  a  Charge,  which  they 
did,  and  with  great  fury  beat  them  up  to 
their  Battail  :  and  it  was  high  time  ;  for 
their  Harquebusiers  had  almost  gain'd  the 
flank  of  our  Horse.  I  therefore  ran  up 
to  them,  and  we  began  a  furious  skirmish, 
which  was  great,  and  obstinately  fought, 
for  all  our  Squadrons  were  closed  up 
together,  and  it  continued  a  long  hour 
or  more. 

Now  the  Enemy  had  placed  their  Canon 
by  the  side  of  the  little  house,  which  play'd 
directly  into  our  Battaillon  ;  Monsieur  de 
Mailly  then  advanc'd  with  ours  and  placing 
himself  close  by  us,  began  to  shoot  at  those 
of  the  Enemy  by  the  little  house  ;  for 
there  where  we  maintained  the  skirmish  he 
could    not   do   it    without   killing    our  own 


1 86        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

men  ;  when,  looking  towards  our  own 
Battail,  I  saw  Monsieur  de  Tais,  who 
began  to  march  with  his  Pikes,  charg'd 
directly  towards  the  Italians,  whereupon 
I  ran  up  to  him,  saying,  *  Whither  do  you 

*  go.  Sir,  whither  do  you  go,  you  will  lose 
'  the  Battel  ;    for  here  are  all  the  Germans 

*  coming  to  fight  you,  and  will  charge  into 

*  your  flank.'  The  Captains  were  the  occasion 
of  this,  who  ceased  not  to  cry  out  to  him, 

*  Sir,  lead  us  on  to  fight  ;  for  it  is  better 
'  for  us  to  dye  hand  to  hand,  than  stand  still 

*  here  to  be  killed  with  the  Canon.'  'Tis 
that  which  terrifies  the  most  of  anything, 
and  oftentimes  begets  more  fear  than  it 
does  harm  :  but  however  so  it  was  that 
he  was  pleased  to  be  rul'd  by  me,  and 
I  entreated  him  to  make  his  men  kneel 
on  one  knee,  with  their  Pikes  down  ;  for 
I  saw  the  Swisse  behind  laid  at  their  full 
length  squatt  to  the  ground,  so  as  hardly 
to  be  seen  ;  and  from  him  I  ran  to  the 
Harquebusiers.  The  Enemies  Harquebuziers 
by  this  time  were  beginning  to  retire  behind 
the  house,  when,  as  I  was  going  up  to  charge 
straight  up  to  them,  1  discover'd  the  Front 
of  the  Germans  Battaillon,  and  suddainly 
commanded  the  Captains  Brueile  and  Gasquet 
to  retire  by  degrees  towards  the  Artillery, 


CERISOLES  187 

for  we  were  to  make  room  for  the  Pikes 
to  come  up  to  the  fight,  and  I  went  to  our 
Battel,  where  being  come,  I  said  to  my  men 
these  words. 

*  Oh  my  fellow  Soldiers  let  us  now  fight 

*  bravely,  and  if  we  win  the  Battel  we  get  a 
'  greater  renown  than  any  of  our  Nation  ever 

*  did  ;  It  was  never  yet  read  in  History  that 
'  ever  the  Gauls  fought  the  Germans  Pike 
'  to    Pike  but   that   the    Germans   defeated 

*  them,  and  to  set  this  honorable  mark  upon 

*  our    selves    that   we  are   better  men    than 

*  our  Ancestors,  this  glory  ought  to  inspire 

*  us  with  a  double  courage  to  fight  so  as  to 
'  overcome  or  dye,  and  make  our  Enemies 

*  know   what    kind   of  men   we   are.      Re- 

*  member,  Camerades,  the  message  the  King 

*  sent  to  us,  and    what   a   glory   it  will    be 

*  to    present    our    selves    before    him    after 

*  the  victory.'  '  Now,  Sir,'  said  I  to  Monsieur 
de  Tais,  *  it  is  time  to  rise,'  which  he 
suddenly  did,  and  I  began  to  cry  out 
aloud,    '  Gentlemen,    it    may    be    there    are 

*  not    many    here    who    have    ever   been    in 

*  a  Battel  before,  and  therefore  let  me  tell 
'  you  that  if  we  take  our  Pikes  by  the 
'  hinder    end,    and    fight   at    the    length    of 

*  the  Pike,  we   shall  be    defeated  ;    for  the 

*  Germans   are   more   dextrous   at  this  kind 


1 88        BLAISE    DE   MONLUC 

*  of    fight    than    we    are  :    but    you    must 

*  take  your  Pikes  by  the  middle  as  the 
'  Swisse    do,    and    run    head-long    to    force 

*  and  penetrate  into  the  midst  of  them,  and 

*  you  shall  see  how  confounded  they  will  be.' 
Monsieur  de  Tais  then  cryed  out  to  me 
to  go  along  the  Battail,  and  make  them 
all  handle  their  Pikes  after  this  manner, 
which  I  accordingly  did,  and  now  we  are 
all  ready  for  the  Encounter. 

The  Germans  march'd  at  a  great  rate 
directly  towards  us,  and  I  ran  to  put  myself 
before  the  Battail,  where  I  alighted  from  my 
horse  ;  for  I  ever  had  a  Lacquey  at  the 
head  of  the  Battaillon  ready  with  my  Pike  ; 
and  as  Monsieur  de  Tais  and  the  rest  of  the 
Captains  saw  me  on  toot,  they  all  cry'd  out 
at    once,    ^  Get    up.    Captain    Montluc,    get 

*  up  again,  and  you  shall  lead  us  on  to 
*the  fight.'  To  whom  I  made  answer  that 
if  it  was  my  fate  to  dye  that  day,  I  could 
not  dye  in  a  more  honorable  place  than 
in  their  Company,  with  my  Pike  in  my 
hand.  I  then  call'd  to  Captain  la  Burre, 
who  was  Serjeant  Major,  that  he  should 
always  be  stirring  about  the  Battaillon  when 
we  came  to  grapple,  and  that  he  and  the 
Serjeants  behind  and  on  the  sides  should 
never  cease  crying,  put  home,  Soldiers,  put 


CERISOLES  189 

home,  to  the  end  that  they  might  push  on 
one  another. 

The  Germans  came  up  to  us  at  a  very 
round  rate,  insomuch  that  their  Battail  being 
very  great,  they  could  not  possibly  follow  ; 
so  that  we  saw  great  windows  in  their  body, 
and  several  Ensigns  a  good  way  behind, 
and  all  on  a  suddain  rush'd  in  among  them, 
a  good  many  of  us  at  least,  for  as  well 
on  their  side  as  ours  all  the  first  Ranks, 
either  with  push  of  Pikes  or  the  Shock  at 
the  encounter,  were  overturn'd  ;  neither  is 
it  possible  amongst  Foot  to  see  a  greater 
fury :  the  second  Rank  and  the  third  were 
the  cause  of  our  victory  ;  for  the  last  so 
pushed  them  on  that  they  fell  in  upon 
the  heels  of  one  another,  and  as  ours  press'd 
in,  the  Enemy  was  still  driven  back  :  I 
was  never  in  my  life  so  active  and  light 
as  that  day,  and  it  stood  me  upon  so  to 
be ;  for  above  three  times  I  was  beaten 
down  to  my  knees.  The  Swisse  were 
very  sly  and  cunning ;  for  till  they  saw 
us  within  ten  or  a  dozen  Pikes  length  of 
one  another,  they  never  rose  :  but  then 
like  Savage  Boars  they  rush'd  into  their 
flank,  and  Monsieur  de  Boitieres  broke  in 
at   a   Canton,*     Monsieur   de  Termes  and 

*  Or  Corner. 


I90       BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

Signior  Francisco  in  the  mean  time  charg'd 
Rodolpho  Baglione,  whom  they  overthrew 
and  put  his  Cavalry  to  route.  The  Italians, 
who  saw  their  Cavalry  broken,  and  the 
Lansquenets  and  Germans  overthrown  and 
routed,  began  to  take  the  descent  of  the 
valley,  and  as  fast  as  they  could  to  make 
directly  towards  the  Wood.  Monsieur  de 
Termes  had  his  horse  killed  under  him 
at  the  first  encounter,  and  by  ill  fortune 
his  leg  was  so  far  engaged  under  him  in 
the  fall  that  it  was  not  possible  for  him 
to  rise,  so  that  he  was  there  by  the  Italians 
taken  and  carried  away  Prisoner,  and,  to 
say  the  truth,  his  legs  were  none  of  the 
best. 

Now  you  are  to  take  notice  that  the 
Marquis  de  Guast  had  composed  a  Battaillon 
of  five  thousand  Pikes,  namely  two  thousand 
Spaniards  and  three  thousand  Germans,  out 
of  the  number  of  six  thousand,  being  the 
same  that  Count  Laudron  had  brought  into 
Spain,  where  he  had  remain'd  ten  years 
or  more,  and  who  all  spoke  as  good  Spanish 
as  natural  Spaniards.  He  had  formed  this 
Battaillon  only  to  clear  away  the  Gascons  ; 
for  he  said  that  he  feared  our  Battaillon 
more  than  any  of  the  other,  and  had  an 
opinion  that  his  Germans  (being  all  chosen 


CERISOLES 


191 


men)  would  beat  our  Swisse.  He  had  placed 
three  hundred  Harquebusiers  only  in  the 
nature  of  a  forlorn  hope  at  the  head  of 
this  Battaillon,  which  he  reserved  to  the 
forenamed  effect,  and  all  the  rest  maintained 
the  skirmish.  Now  as  he  was  by  the  little 
house  on  the  same  side  with  the  Germans, 
he  saw  the  Fribourgers,  who  were  all  arm'd 
in  white,  and  took  them  for  the  Gascons, 
and  thereupon  said  to  his  men,  *  Hermanos, 
*  hermanos,a  qui  estant  todos  Gascon es,sarrais 
*d  ellos.'  They  were  not  gone  two  hundred 
paces  from  him  but  that  he  perceived  our 
Battail,  which  start  up,  and  saw  his  error 
when  it  was  too  late  to  help  it,  for  we 
all  wore  black  arms. 

This  Battaillon  of  five  thousand  Pikes 
march'd  then  at  a  good  round  rate  directly 
upon  the  Fribourgers,  and  they  were  of 
necessity  to  pass  hard  by  Monsieur 
d'Anguien,  who  by  some  body  or  other 
was  very  ill  advised  ;  for  as  they  pass'd 
by  he  charg'd  with  his  Gens  d'Armes  quite 
thorough  their  Battallion  in  the  Flank,  and 
there  were  slain  and  wounded  a  great  many 
brave  and  worthy  men,  and  some  of  very 
considerable  quality,  as  Monsieur  d'Assier, 
le  Sieur  de  la  Rochechouard,  with  several 
others,  and  yet  more  at  the  second  charge  ; 


192        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

there  were  some  who  pass'd  and  repass'd 
quite  thorough  and  thorough  ;  but  still  they 
clos'd  up  again,  and  in  that  manner  came 
up  to  the  Fribourgers  Battalia,  who  were 
soon  overthrown  without  so  much  as  stand- 
ing one  Push  of  Pike,  and  there  died  all 
their  Captains  and  Lieutenants  who  were 
in  the  first  rank  and  the  rest  fled  straight 
to  Messieur  des  Cros  :  but  this  Battaillion 
of  Spaniards  and  Germans  still  at  a  very- 
great  rate  pursued  their  victory,  and  over- 
threw the  said  Sieur  des  Cros,  who  there 
dyed  and  all  his  Captains  with  him  ;  neither 
could  Monsieur  d'Anguien  any  way  relieve 
him,  forasmuch  as  all  the  horses  almost 
of  his  Cavalry  in  these  two  furious  but 
inconsiderate  charges  were  wounded  and 
walk'd  fair  and  softly  over  the  field  towards 
the  Enemy.  He  was  then  in  the  height 
of  despair,  and  curst  the  hour  that  ever 
he  was  born,  seeing  the  overthrow  of  his 
Foot,  and  that  he  himself  had  scarce  an 
hundred  Horse  left  to  sustein  the  shock, 
insomuch  that  Monsieur  des  Pignan  of 
Montpellier  (a  Gentleman  of  his)  assured 
me  that  he  twice  turn'd  the  point  of  his 
Sword  into  his  Gorget,  to  have  offered 
violence  to  himself,  and  himself  told  me 
at    his    return    that    he    was    then    in     such 


CERISOLES  193 

a  condition  he  should  have  been  glad  any 
one  would  have  run  him  thorough.  The 
Romans  might  have  done  so ;  but  I  do 
not  think  it  becomes  a  Christian.  Every- 
one at  that  time  passed  his  censure  upon 
it  according  to  his  own  fancy.  For  our 
parts  we  were  as  well  as  heart  could  wish, 
and  as  much  pleased  as  the  Enemy  was 
afflicted  ;  but  let  us  return  to  the  blows, 
for  there  were  yet  both  to  give  and  to  take. 
The  cowardice  of  the  Fribourgers  occasioned 
a  great  loss  on  that  side  of  the  field  ;  in  my 
life  I  never  saw  such  great  lubbers  as  those 

o 

were,  unworthy  ever  to  bear  Arms,  if  they 
have  not  learnt  more  courage  since.  They 
are  indeed  neighbours  to  the  Swisse, 
but  there  is  no  more  comparison  betwixt 
them  than  betwixt  a  Spanish  Horse  and 
an  Asse.  It  is  not  all  to  have  a  great 
number  of  men  upon  the  list ;  but  to 
have  those  that  are  true  bred  ;  for  a 
hundred  of  them  are  worth  a  thousand  of 
the  other.  And  a  brave  and  valiant  Captain 
with  a  thousand  men  that  he  knows  he 
may  trust  to  will  pass  over  the  bellies  of 
four  thousand. 


194        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 


Siena 

As  the  defence  of  Siena  was  one  of  the  most  striking 
episodes  in  Monluc's  career,  and  its  description 
occupies  a  great  deal  of  space  in  the  Commentaires, 
it  has  been  thought  best,  even  at  the  sacrifice  of 
passages  from  other  portions  of  the  book,  that  the 
extracts  from  this  section  should  be  as  full  as  possible. 

Monsieur  de  Strozzy  then  sent  to  the  King 
to  acquaint  him  that  it  was  not  possible  for 
him  both  to  keep  the  field  and  to  govern  in 
Sienna  also,  and  that  therefore  he  most 
humbly  besought  his  Majesty  to  make 
choice  of  some  person  in  whom  he  might 
safely  confide  to  command  in  the  Town,  so 
long  as  he  should  continue  in  the  field. 
The  King  having  receiv'd  this  despatch, 
call'd  for  the  Constable,  Monsieur  de  Guise, 
and  the  Mareschal  de  St  Andre,  where  he 
acquainted  them  with  Monsieur  de  Strozzy's 
request,  desiring  them  to  name  each  of  them 
one  for  this  employment  ;  for  all  things 
past  through  the  hands  of  these  three,  and 
nothing  was  determin'd  without  them.  All 
our  Kings  have  ever  had  this  trick,  to  suffer 
themselves  to  be  govern'd  by  some  particular 
men,  and  perhaps  too  much,  so  that  it  looks 
sometimes  as  if  they  stood  in  awe  of  their 


SIENA  195 

own  subjects.  Of  these  the  Constable  stood 
in  the  highest  degree  of  favour,  and  was 
even  more  belov'd  by  the  King  than  any 
other  ;  he  therefore  first  nam'd  his  man, 
Monsieur  de  Guise  another,  and  the 
Mareschal  a  third.  Which  having  done,  the 
King  said  to  them,  you  have  none  of  you 
nam'd  Montluc,  to  which  Monsieur  de 
Guise  made  answer  that  it  was  out  of  his 
head,  and  the  Mareschal  said  the  same. 
Monsieur   de   Guise    moreover    adding,    '  if 

*  you  name  Montluc  I  have  done,  and  shall 

*  speak  no  more  of  him  I  nominated  before ' ; 
nor  I,  said  the  Mareschal,  who  has  since 
related  to  me  the  whole  debate.  The  Con- 
stable then  stood  up  and  said  that  I  was  by 
no  means  proper  for  this  employment,  as 
being  too  humorous,  peevish,  and  passionate, 
to  which  the  King  made  answer  that  he  had 
ever  observ'd  and  known  me  to  be  peevish 
and  passionate  upon  the  account  of  his 
service  only,  when  I  saw  him  not  serv'd  so 
well  as  he  ought  to  be,  and  that  he  had 
never  heard  I  ever  had  a  quarrel  with  any 
one  upon  my  own  particular  account. 
Monsieur  de  Guise  and  the  Mareschal  said 
also  the  same,  adding  moreover  that  I  had 
already  been  Governor  both  of  Montcallier 
and  Alba,  without  so  much  as  any  one  man's 


196        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

opening  his  mouth  to  complain  of  my  Ad- 
ministration ;  and  that  also  had  I  been  a 
person  of  that  temper  the  Mareschal  de 
Brissac  would  never  have  lov'd  and  favour'd 
me  at  the  rate  he  did,  nor  have  reposed  so 
great  a  confidence  in  me  as  he  had  ever 
done.  The  Constable  hereupon  answered 
very  roundly  again,  and  made  good  his 
former  objection  with  great  vehemency,  and 
would  by  all  means  that  the  person  he  had 
nominated  should  stand  :  for  he  was  im- 
patient of  being  controverted,  and  more  of 
being  over-rul'd  ;  neither  indeed  did  he 
ever  much  love  me,  nor  any  of  his.  The 
Cardinal  of  Lorrain  was  there  present,  who 
may  better  remember  than  I  who  it  was 
that  the  Constable  nam'd :  but  (if  I  be  not 
deceiv'd)  it  was  Boccal,  who  is  since  turned 
Hugonot  :  however  in  the  end  the  King 
would  carry  it,  having  Monsieur  de  Guise 
and  the  Mareschal  de  St  Andre  on  his  side, 
and  dispatch'd  away  a  Courier  to  the 
Mareschal  de  Brissac  to  send  me  into 
Avignon,  where  accordingly  I  staid  expecting 
a  Gentleman  his  Majesty  sent  to  me,  who 
brought  my  despatch  to  go  presently  away 
to  Sienna. 

Now  the  Mareschal  had  some  dayes  before 
given  me  leave  to  retire  to  my  own  house. 


SIENA  197 

by  reason  of  a  sickness  I  was  fallen  into,  as 
I  have  said  elsewhere  ;  who  had  no  mind  to 
do  it,  as  he  himself  confest  to  me  since  ; 
and  has  done  me  the  honour  to  tell  me  that 
had  he  known  of  what  importance  the  loss  of 
me  would  have  been  to  him  he  would  not 
have  so  commended  me  to  the  King  as  he 
had  done,  and  that  in  his  life  he  never  re- 
pented anything  so  much  as  the  letting  me 
depart  from  him,  telling  me  of  a  great  many 
things  wherein  he  had  not  been  so  well 
served  after  my  departure  out  of  Piedmont. 
Monsieur  de  Coss6,  President  Birague,  and 
several  others  can  witness  how  oft  they  have 
heard  him  lament  my  absence,  especially 
when  matters  did  not  succeed  according  to 
his  desire.  And  if  any  one  will  take  the 
pains  to  consider  what  I  perform'd  while  I 
was  there  under  his  Command,  he  will  find  that 
what  I  say  is  very  true,  and  that  he  had 
some  reason  to  regret  me.  I  was  alwayes  at 
his  feet  and  at  his  head.  I  will  not  say, 
nevertheless,  that  anything  would  have  been 
better  done  for  my  being  there  :  but  how- 
ever I  must  needs  speak  the  truth,  and 
there  are  those  who  can  say  more  if  they 
please. 

He  then  writ  a  Letter  to  the  King,  and 
another  to  the   Constable,  wherein  he  sent 


198        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

his  Majesty  word  that  he  had  made  a 
very  ill  choice  of  me  to  command  in  Sienna, 
for  that  I  was  one  of  the  most  cross-grain'd 
chollerick  fellows  in  the  whole  world,  and 
such  a  one  as  that  for  half  the  time  I 
had  been  with  him  he  had  been  necessitated 
to  suffer  much  from  me,  knowing  my 
imperfections.  That  indeed  I  was  very 
good  for  the  maintaining  of  discipline  and 
justice  in  an  Army  to  command  in  the 
field,  and  to  make  the  Soldiers  to  fight, 
but  that  the  humour  of  the  Siennois  con- 
sider'd,  it  would  be  fire  to  fire,  which  would 
be  the  only  means  to  lose  their  State,  which 
was  to  be  preserv'd  by  gentleness  and 
moderation.  He  moreover  entreated  the 
Constable  to  remonstrate  as  much  to  the 
King,  and  in  the  mean  time  dispatch  a 
Courier  to  me,  who  found  me  very  sick, 
by  whom  he  sent  me  word,  that  the  King 
would  send  me  to  Sienna ;  but,  that  as 
a  friend  of  mine,  he  advised  me  not  to  accept 
of  that  employment,  entreating  me  not  to 
forsake  him,  to  go  serve  elsewhere  under 
another,  and  assuring  me  withal,  that  if 
any  Command  happned  to  be  vacant  in 
Piedmont,  that  I  had  more  mind  to  than 
what  I  already  had,  I  should  have  it  ;  which 
were  all  artifices  to  detein  me. 


SIENA  199 

O  that  a  wise  Lieutenant  of  a  Province 
ought  to  have  an  eye,  and  to  take  heed 
of  losing  a  man  in  whom  he  may  absolutely 
confide,  and  whom  he  knows  to  be  a  man 
of  valour,  and  ought  to  spare  nothing  that 
he  may  keep  him  ;  for  oftentimes  one  man 
alone  can  do  much.  You  must  eat  a  great 
deal  of  Salt  with  a  man  before  you  can 
rightly  know  him  ;  and  in  the  mean  time 
you  are  depriv'd  of  him  with  whom  you 
were  thoroughly  acquainted,  in  whom  you 
reposed  your  trust,  and  of  whose  fidelity 
you  have  already  had  sufficient  proof.  The 
said  Mareschal  had  moreover  sent  word 
to  the  King,  that  I  was  in  Gascony  very 
sick,  and  in  the  morning  as  the  Letters 
were  read,  the  Constable,  who  was  mighty 
well  pleased  with  the  contents,  said  to  the 
King,  '  Did  not  I  tell  your  Majesty  as  much, 
*you  find  the  Mareschal  to  be  of  the  same 

*  opinion,    and    no    man    living    can     know 

*  Montluc  better  than  he  who  has  so  often 

*  seen  him  at  work.'  To  which  the  King, 
(who  naturally  lov'd  me,  and  had  ever  done 
so,  after  he  had  seen  my  behaviour  at  the 
Camisado  of  Bullen)  reply'd  that  although 
all  those  of  the  Council  should  speak  against 
me,  yet  should  they  prevail  nothing  by 
it  :    for    it   was    his    nature    to    love    me. 


200        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

and  that  he  would  not  alter  his  election 
let  them  all  say  what  they  would.  Monsieur 
de    Guise    then    spoke    and    said,  *  Here    is 

*  a  letter  very  full  of  contradictions  :   for  in 

*  the  first  place  the  Mareschal  de  Brissac  says 
'  that  Montluc  is  cross-grain'd  and  cholerick, 

*  and  that  he  will  never  suit  with  the  Siennois, 
*but   will    ruine    your   service    if  you  send 

*  him  thither  ;  and  on  the  other  side  com- 
'  mends  him  for  qualities  that   are  required 

*  in  a  man  of  command,  to  whom  the  trust 

*  of  great   things   is  to    be  committed  :    for 

*  he  speaks  him  to  be  a  man  of  an  exact 
discipline  and  great  justice  and  fit  to  make 

*  the  Soldiers  fight  in  great  Enterprizes  and 
'  Executions  ;    and    who    ever    saw    a    man 

*  embued  with  all  these  good  qualities  that 
'  had  not  a  mixture  of  choller  amongst  them  ? 
*Such   as  are  indifferent  whether  things  go 

*  well  or  ill  may  indeed  be  without  passion, 
'and  as  to  the  rest,  since,  Sir,  your  Majesty 
'  has  your  self  made  the  Election,  I  humbly 
'  conceive  you  ought  not  revoke  it.'  The 
Mareschal  de  St  Andre  spoke  next,  and 
said,  '  Sir,  what  the  Mareschal  de  Brissac 
'  complains  of,  you    may    easily    correct    by 

*  writing  to  Montluc  that  your  self  having 
'made  choice  of  his  person  above  all  others 
'  for    this    employment,  he    must    for    your 


SIENA  20 1 

'sake  as  much  as  he  can  govern  his  passion, 

*  having    to    do    with    such    a   fickle-headed 

*  people  as  those  of  Sienna.'  To  which 
the  King  made  answer  that  he  did  not  fear 
but  that  after  he  had  writ  me  a  letter  I 
would  do  as  he  should  command  me  ;  and 
immediately  thereupon  dispatcht  away  a 
Courrier  to  me  to  my  own  house,  by 
whom  he  sent  me  word  that  although 
I  should  be  sick  I  must  nevertheless  put 
my  self  upon  my  way  to  go  directly  to 
Marseilles  where  I  should  meet  my  dispatch, 
and  should  there  embark  my  self  with  the 
Germans  that  the  Rhinceroc  brought,  and 
ten  Companies  of  French  foot,  to  which 
place  he  would  also  send  me  money  for  my 
journey,  and  that  1  must  for  a  while  leave 
my  passion  behind  me  in  Gascony,  and 
a  little  accomodate  my  self  to  the  humor 
of  that  people.  The  Courrier  found  me 
at  Agen  very  sick,  and  under  the  Physicians 
hands,  notwithstanding  which  1  told  him 
that  in  eight  days  I  would  begin  my  journey, 
which  I  did,  and  verily  thought  I  should 
have  dyed  at  Tholouse,  from  whence  by 
the  advice  of  the  Physicians  I  was  to  return 
back  again,  which  1  could  not  do  :  but 
caused  my  self  to  be  hall'd  along  as  far 
as   Montpellier,  where  I  was  again  advised 


202        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

by  the  Physicians  to  go  no  further,  they 
assuring  me  that  if  I  ventur'd  to  proceed 
on  my  journey  I  should  never  come  alive 
to  Marseilles  :  but  whatever  they  could 
say,  I  was  resolv'd  to  go  on  so  long  as 
Hfe  lasted,  come  on't  what  would,  when 
just  as  I  was  going  away  there  came  another 
Courrier  from  the  King  to  hasten  me,  and 
from  day  to  day  I  recovered  my  health 
in  travelling  ;  so  that  when  I  came  to 
Marseilles  I  was  without  comparison  much 
better  that  when  I  parted  from  my  own 
house. 

In  plain  truth  the  King  my  good  Master 
had  reason  to  defend  my  cause,  for  my 
choler  was  never  prejudicial  to  his  service, 
it  has  indeed  been  sometimes  prejudicial 
to  my  self  and  some  others  who  would 
not  avoid  nor  comply  with  my  humour. 
I  never  lost  Place,  Battail,  nor  Rencounter, 
nor  ever  was  the  occasion  of  losing  any  one 
of  his  Subjects  ;  my  choler  never  so  far 
transported  me  as  to  do  any  thing  pre- 
judicial to  his  service,  and  if  it  be  violent 
and  prompt,  it  is  the  sooner  gone  :  I  have 
ever  observ'd  that  such  people  are  better 
to  be  employ'd  than  any  other,  for  they 
have  no  malice  in  them,  nor  no  dangerous 
reservations,  and   if  they  be   more  suddain 


SIENA  203 

they  are  also  more  valiant  than  those  who 

by    their    moderation    would    appear    to    be 

more  wise. 

*  *  m  *  * 

The  Mareschal  then  lodg'd  his  Camp 
betwixt  Porto  Novo  and  Porto  Tuffo,  in 
the  beautiful  Suburbs  that  are  there,  and 
not  only  there,  for  I  dare  boldly  say  that 
if  the  Suburbs  of  Sienna  had  stood  altogether 
they  would  have  been  bigger  than  the  City  ; 
for  in  the  Suburb  were  more  goodly  Palaces 
and  fine  Churches  and  Monasteries  than 
there  were  in  the  body  of  the  Town.  The 
next  morning  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  carried 
us  up  to  that  part  of  the  wall  looking  towards 
the  Enemies  Camp,  where  we  fell  into 
consultations  whether  or  no  it  were  good 
to  hazzard  a  Battail  ;  and  there  the  opinions 
were  various,  some  thinking  it  the  best, 
and  others  conceiving  it  not  convenient 
so  to  do.  Those  who  were  of  opinion  that 
we  ought  not  to  fight  objected  that  we 
could  not  go  to  the  Palace  of  Dian  without 
passing  close  by  a  little  Fort  the  Marquis 
had  made  betwixt  the  little  observance  and 
the  aforesaid  Palace,  where  there  was  three 
or  four  pieces  of  great  Artillery  (as  it  was 
true),  and  that  leaving  that  behind,  we 
should  also  leave  our  own  Fort  of  Camolia 


204       BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

naked  of  defence.  I  then  propounded  that 
for  any  harm  the  Artillery  of  the  little  Fort 
could  do  us,  we  could  pass  by  a  little  before 
day,  and  might  leave  an  Ensign  or  two  to 
bridle  the  little  Fort  from  daring  to  Sally 
out,  and  as  for  the  Fort  of  Camolia,  we 
could  leave  three  or  four  Companies  of 
the  City  to  keep  them  likewise  in  aw, 
that  I  on  my  part  with  the  rest  of  the 
Forces  of  the  City  would  go  out  by  Porto 
Fontebrando,  and  should  by  break  of  day 
be  got  to  the  top  of  a  little  Mountain,  ready 
to  present  my  self  in  the  Plain  at  so  oppor- 
tune a  time,  that  just  as  our  Camp  should 
appear  near  to  theirs  I  should  at  the 
same  instant  be  got  so  near  them  that 
they  must  of  necessity  enter  into  some 
apprehension  to  see  us  come  the  one 
on  the  one  side  and  the  other  on  the 
other. 

The  Siennois  made  account  that  they 
could  draw  four  thousand  good  men  out 
of  the  Town.  There  were  some  who 
approv'd  of  my  proposal,  and  of  the  Siennois 
also,  which  was  to  fight  ;  and  others  were 
of  a  contrary  opinion.  The  Game  could 
not  be  plaid  without  being  lustily  disputed, 
for  the  Marquis  had  three  Tertias  of 
Spaniards,    namely   that    of    Sicily,    that    of 


SIENA  205 

Naples,  and  that  of  Corsica,  (which  we  call 
Regiments)  the  two  first  composed  of  old 
Soldiers,  and  that  of  Corsica  of  new  raised 
men  (wherein  nevertheless  there  were  very- 
good  Soldiers),  together  with  two  Regiments 
of  Germans,  each  of  them  containing  twelve 
Ensigns,  and  four  or  five  Italians.  As  to 
the  Cavalry  I  think  ours  would  have  beaten 
theirs,  for  we  had  very  good  Officers  and 
very  brave  Light-horse  ;  and  for  the  rest, 
our  Army  consisted  of  ten  Ensigns  of 
Germans,  ten  of  Grisons,  fourteen  of  French, 
and  betwixt  five  and  six  thousand  Italians. 
Of  all  this  day  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  could 
not  resolve  what  to  do,  by  reason  of  the 
diversity  of  opinions,  nevertheless  I  think 
he  was  resolv'd  the  next  day  to  have  fought 
them  ;  for  the  Sennois  were  stark  mad  of 
fighting,  and  I  do  believe  fighting  for  their 
liberty  would  have  play'd  the  devils  :  But 
the  Marquis  either  had  some  knowledge 
of  his  intent,  or  else  his  design  was  not 
to  stay  any  longer  there  ;  for  he  departed 
an  hour  before  day  in  the  morning  ;  so 
that  had  God  inspir'd  Monsieur  de  Strozzy 
that  he  had  this  day  gone  out  to  fight, 
we  had  in  the  morning  found  them  all 
dislodg'd,  and  had  fought  them  upon  their 
retreat  and  in  disorder  ;  but  I  must  repeat 


2o6        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

what   I  said  before,   *  Fa   me   endeving,    ^ 
'  is  ti  daro  denari.' 

The  Marquis  took  the  way  towards 
Mauchant,  where  the  Mareschal  had  left 
four  Ensigns,  or  else  the  Marquis  held  it, 
who  went  to  another  place  hard  by,  and 
Monsieur  de  Strozzy  directly  to  Mauchant, 
I  do  not  certainly  remember  whether  :  but 
so  it  was  that  their  Camps  lay  eight  or  nine 
days  within  seven  or  eight  miles  of  one 
another,  the  one  going  to  take  some  place 
and  the  other  following  after  to  relieve  it. 
Nevertheless  the  Marquis  at  last  arrived 
before  Mauchant,  and  began  to  batter  either 
to  take  or  retake  it.  I  was  not  there,  for  I 
staid  behind  at  Sienna,  according  to  the 
King's  intention,  and  in  relation  to  my  com- 
mand ;  yet  had  it  not  been  for  a  sickness 
that  I  began  to  fall  into,  I  do  believe  Mon- 
sieur de  Strozzy  would  have  taken  me  along 
with  him,  and  have  left  Monsieur  de  Lansac 
Governor,  as  before  ;  but  in  the  end,  as 
Monsieur  de  Strozzy  march't  away.  Monsieur 
de  Lansac  took  his  way  towards  Rome,  to 
acquit  himself  of  his  Commission  of 
Ambassador.  So  soon  as  the  Marquis  was 
sensible  of  Monsieur  de  Strozzy's  coming, 
he  gave  place,  and  drawing  off  his  Artillery, 
plac't  himself  a  little  on  the  right  hand,  at 


SIENA  207 

the  distance  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  or  two 
hundred  paces  from  the  Town,  where  he 
made  his  advantage  of  two  or  three  Httle 
Mountains,  under  which  he  entrencht  himself 
on  that  side  by  the  Fountains.  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  then  came  and  encampt  his  Army 
all  along  a  hollow  way  that  there  was  be- 
twixt the  Marquis  and  the  Town.  Now 
Monsieur  de  Strozzy  plac't  himself  so  near 
in  design  to  fight  the  Marquis,  if  he  could 
once  tempt  him  out  of  his  Trenches, 
and  there  they  lay  seven  or  eight  days  to  see 
which  should  first  dislodge.  The  Marquis 
knew  very  well  that  in  case  he  should  first 
move.  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  would  infallibly 
fight  him  :  and  therefore  would  by  no  means 
be  drawn  to  do  it,  being  expressly  forbid  to 
put  any  thing  to  hazard,  as  we  were  after 
told  by  Don  Juan  de  Luna  himself,  who  was 
present  with  the  Marquis  at  that  time,  and 
in  his  own  person,  a  very  brave  Spaniard. 

Now  betwixt  the  two  Camps  there  was  no 
more  than  the  breadth  of  one  little  field,  and 
that  not  above  fifty  paces  over,  wherein  there 
daily  hapned  skirmishes  betwixt  the  foot  of 
both  Armies,  and  so  disadvantageous  to  us 
that  we  always  came  oflF  with  the  worse,  by 
reason  of  the  Artillery  the  Marquis  had 
planted  upon  the  three  forementioned  little 


2o8        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Mountains,  so  that  Monsieur  de  Strozzy 
lost  more  men  by  their  Canon  than  by  their 
smaller  shot.  The  said  Sieur  de  Strozzy 
was  possest  of  one  Fountain  only,  upon 
which  the  Artillery  from  one  of  the 
Mountainets  continually  play'd,  and  kill'd  a 
great  many  men  ;  so  that  they  were  con- 
straint to  fetch  all  their  water  by  night  ; 
neither  could  he  ever  draw  up  his  Cavalry 
into  Battalia,  but  that  the  great  shot  did 
great  execution  upon  them  ;  and  I  was  told 
that  in  three  or  four  dayes  time  he  had  above 
six  score  men  and  horses  kill'd,  insomuch 
that  our  Cavalry  was  infinitely  discourag'd, 
and  the  Foot  also  very  much  baffled  and  out 
of  heart.  Notwithstanding  all  which  Mon- 
sieur de  Strozzy  persisted  obstinate  not  to 
remove  his  Quarters,  and  that  both  out  of 
the  hope  he  had  that  the  Marquis  would 
first  dislodge,  and  give  him  an  opportunity 
to  fight  him,  as  also  out  of  punctilio,  that  he 
would  not  give  him  that  advantage,  as  the 
first  to  forsake  his  ground.  Both  the  one 
and  the  other  of  these  Generals  had  mettle 
enough,  and  both  of  them  had  glory  in  their 
prospect  :  but  it  is  better  to  do  one's 
Master's  business  than  to  stand  upon 
nicities  of  honor ;  I  mean  if  there  be  no 
manifest  shame  in  the  case. 


SIENA  209 

Monsieur  de  Strozzy  every  day  sent  an 
account  of  all  he  did,  both  to  me  and  to  the 
Senat,  as  we  also  met  every  day  in  Council 
to  debate  upon  what  he  writ  to  us,  and 
I  every  hour  advised  and  entreated  him  not 
to  consume  his  Forces  with  continuel  loss, 
which  would  encourage  the  Enemies'  Soldiers 
and  dishearten  his  own  ;  the  Lords  of  the 
Senate  likewise  counsel'd  him  the  same  ; 
but  he  had  so  passionate  a  desire  to  fight 
with  the  Marquis  that  that  longing  alone 
blinded  his  judgment  and  depriv'd  him  of 
the  knowledge  of  his  daily  loss.  I  dy'd  with 
desire  to  go  to  him,  but  the  Senate  would  by 
no  means  consent  unto  it  :  at  last  he  writ 
me  word  that  within  two  dayes  he  would 
retire  in  the  face  of  the  Enemy,  directly  to 
Lusignano,  whereupon  I  immediately  dis- 
patcht  away  a  Gentlemen  to  him,  who  was 
present  when  the  Letter  came,  called  the 
Sieur  de  Lescussan,  by  him  entreating  and 
conjuring  him  not  to  make  his  retreat  by 
day,  since  the  loss  in  the  skirmishes  had 
hapened  on  his  side  (for  by  ill  fortune  our 
people  had  lost  more  the  two  last  dayes, 
than  of  all  the  time  before),  and  that  who- 
ever might  advise  him  to  the  contrary,  I 
begg'd  of  him  to  be  rul'd  by  me,  and  to 
retire  by  night,  for  it  was  no  more  than  two 
O 


2IO        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

miles  to  Lusignano  ;  beseeching  him  with- 
all  to  remember  that  King  Francis  had 
retreated  from  before  Landrecy  after  this 
manner,  and  was  so  far  from  being  con- 
demn'd  for  so  doing,  that  on  the  contrary 
he  was  highly  applauded  for  it,  and  it  was 
lookt  upon  by  all  the  Princes  and  Potentates 
of  Christendome  for  the  most  prudent  thing 
he  ever  did  ;  yet  had  he  sustain'd  no  loss  by 
skirmishes.  I  gave  him  moreover  to  under- 
stand, that  hitherto  1  had  never  seen  a  good 
retreat  made  after  this  manner,  neither  by 
Friend  nor  Enemy,  if  they  who  made  it 
were  closely  pursued.  I  further  represented 
to  him  the  retreat  that  Messieurs  de  Monte- 
gean  and  de  Boissy  would  make  at 
Brignolles,  who  would  not  be  perswaded  to 
retire  without  seeing  the  Enemy,  for  all  the 
Captains  who  were  present  with  them  could 
do  or  say,  which  was  the  cause  they  were 
defeated  within  less  than  half  a  mile  of  their 
Quarters.  I  also  sat  before  him  the  exemple 
of  Monsieur  d'Annebaut,  at  that  time 
Mareschal  of  France,  at  Theroanne,  of 
Monsieur  d'Aussun  at  Carignan,  and  several 
others  :  and  that  since  so  great  a  Prince  and 
so  great  a  Soldier  as  King  Francis  was,  had  by 
all  the  world  been  commended  for  that  dis- 
creet way  of  proceeding,  he  ought  to  take  him 


SIENA  211 

for  his  president,  considering  also  that  so 
many  valiant  Leaders  had  lost  themselves  in 
retreating  at  the  head  of  an  Army  ;  and  that  by 
such  a  loss  (if  it  should  so  unhappily  fall  out) 
he  might  guess  what  would  become  of  the  City 
of  Sienna.  In  short,  Monsieur  de  Lescusson 
brought  me  word  that  once  Monsieur  de 
Stuzzy  was  resolv'd  to  do  it  after  this  sort, 
and  had  it  not  been  for  one  unlucky  fellow 
called  Thomas  d'Albene  he  had  with  him, 
he  had  retreated  after  the  manner  I  advised  : 
but  as  there  are  some  men  in  the  world 
whom  God  has  appointed  to  be  good  so  has 
he  created  others  to  do  mischief,  as  he  did 
this  Thomas  ;  for  he  represented  to  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  so  many  things,  and  so  preacht  what 
a  dishonour  it  would  be  to  him  to  steal  away 
by  night,  that  in  the  end  he  made  him  to 
alter  his  determination  ;  who  thereupon  sent 
me  word  that  he  was  resolv'd  to  make  his 
retreat  in  the  face  of  the  Enemy  :  Whereas 
before,  to  let  me  see  that  he  was  resolv'd  to 
follow  my  advice,  he  had  at  one  of  the  clock 
in  the  night  sent  away  two  pieces  of  Canon 
he  had  with  him  straight  to  Lusignano  ;  at 
which  place  I  do  believe  they  were  already 
arriv'd  (for  it  was  but  two  little  miles)  before 
he  altered  his  resolution.  It  was  four  of  the 
clock  in    the  morning  before  Monsieur  de 


212        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Lescussan  parted  from  him,  who  brought  me 
his  determination,  and  arriv'd  at  seven  of  the 
clock  in  the  morning,  a  la  mode  de  France. 
This  hapned  to  be  in  August,  and  presently 
I  sent  to  the  Senate,  desiring  them  all  to 
meet  me  at  the  Palace,  for  that  I  had  some- 
thing of  importance  to  deliver  them,  which 
they  did.  Now  my  sickness  was  still  more  and 
more  encreast  upon  me,  and  was  at  last  turn'd 
into  a  continued  Feavor  and  a  Flix,  notwith- 
standing which  about  nine  of  the  clock  I  came 
to  the  Palace,  where  I  began  a  Speech  to  them 
in  Italian,  which  I  spoke  better  then  than  I 
can  write  it  now,  which  is  one  reason  why  I 
have  here  set  it  down  in  French,  as  also  to 
the  end  that  the  Gentlemen  of  Gascony,  who 
few  of  them  understand  that  Language,  and 
shall  read  my  Book,  as  I  am  confident  they 
will,  may  not  be  put  to  the  trouble  to  have 
it  interpreted  to  them.  I  very  well  re- 
member what  I  said,  and  I  do  truly  believe 
I  do  not  miss  ten  words,  for  my  discourse 
was  only  what  was  dictated  to  me  by  nature 
without  any  help  of  Art. 

*  Gentlemen,  I  have  requested  you  to  this 
'  Assembly  that  I  might  remonstrate  to  you 

*  four  things,  which  I  conceive  to  be  very 

*  important  to  your  conservation,  and  have 

*  been    moved    so    to    do,    by    reason    that 


SIENA  213 

Monsieur  de  Strozzy  has  this  night  sent  me 
word  by  Monsieur  de  L'Escussan  of  the 
resolution  he  has  taken  this  morning  to 
retreat  in  open  day  to  Lusignano,  in  the 
very  face  of  his  Enemy.  You  all  know 
very  well  what  perswasions  and  intreaties 
we  have  used,  that  he  would  take  heed  of 
retreating  after  this  manner,  and  particularly 
what  arguments  and  exemples  I  laid  before 
him  by  the  said  Seiur  de  I'Escussan,  which 
he  relisht  very  well  at  first,  and  was  once 
resolv'd  to  do  as  King  Francis  did  before 
Landrecy  ;  nevertheless,  by  I  know  not 
what  misfortune,  he  suffers  himself  to  be 
carried  away  by  a  man  he  has  with  him, 
one  Thomas  d'Albene,  who  has  made  him 
alter  his  determination  by  making  him 
believe  that  to  retreat  by  night  would  be 
dishonourable  to  him  :  God  grant  the  ill 
counsel  of  this  man  do  not  prove  dishonour- 
able and  ruinous  both  to  him  and  to  you 
also.  Now  Gentlemen,  whilst  we  are  in 
expectation  what  will  be  the  issue  of  this 
Battail,  I  have  four  things  to  remonstrate 
to  you.  The  first,  and  which  most  nearly 
concerns  you,  is  that  you  will  please  to  call 
to  mind  that  you  are  Soveraigns  in  your 
own  Republick,  that  your  Predecessors  from 
Father  to  Son  have  left  you  this  honorable 


214        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

*  Title  :  that  this  War  aims  at  nothing  but 

*  the   mine  of  that  Soveraignty  ;  for  if  the 

*  Enemy  remain  victorious,  you  are  to  hope 

*  for   no  other  than  from  Soveraigns  to  be 

*  converted    into  Subjects  and  Slaves  ;    and 

*  that  therefore  it  is  much  better  for  you  to 

*  die  with  your  arms  in  your  hands  in  the 
'  defence  of  this  honorable  Title  than  tamely 

*  to  part  with  your  Birth-right  and  to  outlive 
'  the    loss  of  your  Priviledges  and   Liberty 

*  with    shame  and  infamy.     The   second   is 

*  that   you  will  consider  the   friendship  the 

*  King   my    Master  has  towards   you,    who 

*  pretends  to  no  other  advantage  from  you 

*  than  that  your  amity  be  reciprocal  to  his, 
'  and  that  since  he  has  generously  taken  you 

*  into  his  protection,  you  will  have  this  con- 

*  fidence  in  him  that  he  will  never  forsake 

*  you  :  for  should  you  go  less  in  your  resolu- 

*  tion  for  one  little  blow  of  fortune,  consider 
'  with  what  contempt  the  whole  world  will 

*  look  upon  you  ;  there  is  not  a  Prince  upon 

*  the  earth  that  will  aid  and  assist  you  should 

*  they  once  discover  you  to  be  a  mutable  and 

*  irresolute  people.  For  all  these  considera- 
'  tions  therefore  I  beseech  you  to  continue 
'  firm  and  constant,  and  approve  your  selves 
'  magnanimious  and  faithful  in  adversity,  when 

*  you    shall    hear    news    of  the  loss  of  the 


SIENA  215 

*  Battail,  which  I  very  much  fear  you  will 
'  soon  do,  considering  the  resolution  Monsieur 

*  de  Strozzy  has  taken,  though  God   of  his 

*  goodness  divert  the  misfortune.     The  third 

*  is  that  you  will  consider  in  what  a  height  of 
'  reputation  your  forefathers  liv'd  and  dy'd, 
'  which  also  they  have  left  you  to  inherit, 

*  that  you  may  for  ever  carry  the  name  of  the 

*  most    valiant    and   warlike    people    of  all 

*  Italy,  and  have  moreover  left  behind   them 

*  honorable  memory  of  the  Battails  they  have 

*  won  of  those  of  their    own  Nation.     You 

*  also  derive  your   selves  from    the  antient 

*  warlike  Romans,  and  pretend  to  be  their 
'  true   legitimate   Sons,  giving  their  antient 

*  arms,  which  is  the  Wolf  with  Romulus  and 

*  Remus,  Founders  of  their  proud  City,  the 
'  Metropolis  of  the  World.     I  therefore  most 

*  earnestly  beseech  you  Gentlemen,  that  you 

*  will   call  to  mind   who  you  are  and  what 

*  your    Projenitors   have  ever  been  ;  which 

*  title  of  honor  should  you  once  lose,  what  a 

*  shame    and    infamy    would    it  be  to  your 

*  famous  Ancestors,  and  what  cause  will  your 

*  children  have  to  curse  the  hour  that  ever 
'  they  were  descended  of  such  Fathers,  who 

*  have    abandon'd    their    Liberty  to   submit 

*  their   necks   to   the  yoke  of  servitude  and 

*  subjection  ^     The   fourth   thing  I   have  to 


2i6        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

trouble  you  withal  is  to  remonstrate  to  you 
that  as  I  have  an  entire  confidence  you  will 
manifest  your  valour  and  verture  upon  this 
occasion,  you  in  order  thereunto  will 
suddainly  think  of  making  provision  of  all 
things  necessary  to  the  conservation  of 
your  City  ;  for  the  Battail  I  already  give 
you  for  lost,  not  that  it  will  nevertheless 
proceed  from  any  default  in  Monsieur  de 
Strozzy,but  from  the  losses  we  have  sustein'd 
in  the  several  skirmishes  that  have  been 
fought  before  Mauchaut,  it  being  impossible 
by  reason  thereof  but  that  our  people  must 
be  mightily  Crest-fallen  and  dejected,  and 
those  of  the  Enemy  in  greater  heart  and 
courage.  'Tis  an  effect  of  victory  to  be 
exalted,  and  fear  is  the  issue  of  misfortune 
and  disgrace  ;  neither  do  the  little  losses  in 
skirmishes,  which  are  the  usual  forerunners 
of  a  Battail,  ever  portend  anything  but 
disaster  and  ruine.  On  the  other  side  also 
those  who  retire  must  of  necessity  show 
their  backs  to  the  Enemy  :  where,  although 
they  often  face  about,  yet  must  they  still 
make  forward,  where  it  will  be  impossible 
but  they  must  meet  with  some  hedge  or 
ditch  over  which  they  must  of  necessity 
pass  in  disorder  ;  for  upon  a  Retreat  every 
one  will  strive  to  be  foremost,  because  fear 


SIENA  217 

'  and  terror  are  the  ordinary  concomitants  of 
'  those  who  would  retire  ;  and  for  never  so 

*  little  disorderly  haste  they  shall  make,  all 

*  will  be  lost  if  the  Enemy  have  but    half 

*  the  courage  that  men   should   have.     Re- 

*  member     (Gentlemen)     the     Battail     that 

*  Hannibal  gain'd  of  the  Romains  at  Cannee 
'  near   to    Rome.     The  Romans  who  were 

*  at    home    in    the  City   never   suspected    it 

*  possible  that  their  people  should  be  beaten, 

*  and  therefore  made  no  kind  of  provision, 

*  nor  took  any  order  in  their  affairs  ;  so  that 

*  when  news  came  of  the  defeat  they  were 

*  strook  into  so  great  a  terror  that  the  Gates 
'  of  Rome  remain'd  for  three  days  and  three 

*  nights  wide  open,  not  a  man  so  much  as 
'  daring   to   go    shut    them  ;    so    that    had 

*  Hannibal    pursued    his   victory,   he   might 
'  without    any  opposition   have  entered   the 

*  City  ;     as     Titus     Livie     reports     in     his 

*  History.      Therefore     (Gentlemen)     give 

*  present  order  for  the  securing  of  your  Gates, 

*  and   appoint    men    to   guard    them,   which 

*  you  must  also  choose  out  of  those  of  best 
'  repute    for   the  bravest   and   most   faithful 

*  amongst   you  :     In    the    next    place    cause 
'  proclamation  to  be   made  throughout   the 

*  City  that  all  those  who  have  Corn  or  Meal 
'  at  the  Mills  shall  make  haste  to  get  their 


2t8        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Corn  ground,  and  bring  it  all  into  the  City. 
Cause  also  all  those  who  have  grain  or 
any  other  sorts  of  provision  in  the  Villages 
immediately  to  fetch  it  into  the  Town,  upon 
penalty  of  having  it  burnt  or  put  to  sack 
if  by  to-morrow  night  it  be  not  all  brought 
within  the  walls  ;  and  all  this  to  the  end 
that  we  may  have  wherewith  to  support 
our  selves  and  maintain  the  Siege  till  the 
succours  the  King  will  send  us  shall  arrive  ; 
for  he  is  not  so  inconsiderable  a  Prince  but 
that  as  he  has  had  the  power  to  send  you 
those  aids  that  are  already  come,  he  is  yet 
able  to  send  you  more  ;  and  moreover 
command  your  three  Standard-bearers  to 
have  all  their  Companies  in  a  readiness 
at  the  beat  of  Drum.  My  Fever  pressing 
upon  me,  I  am  constrained  to  retire  to  my 
lodging,  in  expectation  of  such  news  as 
God  shall  please  to  send  us,  and  you  I  hope 
in  the  meantime  will  take  present  order 
about  such  things  as  I  have  put  you  in 
mind  of,  in  which  assurance,  for  the  service 
of  the  King  my  Master  and  particularly 
your  own,  I  make  you  a  tender  not  only 
of  the  little  experience  God  has  given  me, 
but  moreover  of  my  life  for  the  defence 
of  your  City  and  the  ancient  priviledges 
thereof,' 


SIENA  219 

Thus  then  I  departed  from  them,  who 
immediately  resolv'd  to  have  patience  in 
what  fortune  soever  God  should  be  pleased 
to  send  them,  and  to  eat  to  their  very- 
children  before  they  would  for  any  mis- 
fortune that  should  befall  them  depart  from 
the  Amity  and  Protection  of  the  King  of 
France.  I  perceived  both  by  their  counten- 
ance and  their  speeches  that  they  were  a 
people  very  well  resolv'd  to  defend  their 
liberty  and  to  preserve  inviolate  the  friend- 
ship they  had  promised  and  sworn  to  me. 
A  resolution  at  which  indeed  I  was  mightily 
well  pleased.  They  immediately  then  caused 
proclamation  to  be  made,  upon  which  every 
one  ran  to  the  field  to  fetch  in  what  they 
had,  and  about  five  a'clock  in  the  evening 
arrived  Captain  Cambas,  Camp-Master  to 
the  French  Infantry,  who  came  to  bring  me 
news  that  the  Battail  was  lost  and  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  wounded  to  death,  whom  they 
had  laid  upon  Poles  to  carry  him  to 
Montalsin,  and  that  that  very  night  all 
those  of  the  Army  who  had  escap't 
the  Battail  would  be  at  the  Gates  of 
Sienna.  I  leave  any  one  to  judge  what  a 
condition  I  was  in,  being  sick  of  a  Fever 
and  a  Dissentery,  seeing  our  General  dead, 
or   what    was    as    bad,  it    being  not    above 


220        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

fourteen  or  fifteen  dayes  since  I  arrived  in 
this  Republick,  not  having  any  acquaintance 
with  any  one  person  in  the  City,  and  conse- 
quently not  knowing  who  were  good 
Frenchmen  and  who  were  not.  Time  is 
requir'd  to  the  knowledge  of  men.  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  had  left  me  but  five  Italian 
Companies,  of  which  I  did  not  know  so 
much  as  one  Captain,  and  those  he  had  left 
in  the  Citadel  and  the  Fort  of  Camolia, 
which  were  the  Keys  of  the  City.  I  then 
sent  Captain  Cambas  to  carry  the  news  to 
the  Senate,  who  were  nothing  dismai'd  at  it, 
but  told  him  that  three  or  four  dayes  before 
I  had  remonstrated  to  them  that  this  retreat 
would  be  dangerous  ;  and  that  although  by 
what  I  had  said  to  them  they  had  given  the 
Battail  for  lost,  they  would  nevertheless 
nothing  alter  the  good  inclination  they  had 
for  the  King,  nor  despair  of  being  reliev'd 
by  him. 

Do  not  think  it  strange  (fellow  Captains) 
if  foreseeing  the  loss  of  a  Battail,  I  also  fore- 
told it  to  the  Siennois,  which  I  did  not  to 
dishearten  but  to  assure  them,  to  the  end 
that  the  sudden  news  thereof  might  not 
Strike  a  general  astonishment  throughout  the 
whole  City  ;  'twas  this  made  them  resolve, 
this   made   them    take   counsel    to    prepare 


SIENA  221 

themselves  ;  and  in  opinion  men  do  better 
in  expecting  the  worst  than  in  being  over 
confident  of  their  Fortune.  Upon  what  I  had 
said  to  them  every  one  put  on  a  resolution  to 
die  in  the  defence  of  their  walls,  and  every- 
thing was  presently  brought  into  the  City. 

Now  the  Marquis  lodg'd  the  Tertia  of 
Corsica  at  the  little  Observance,  the  Tertia 
of  Sicily  at  the  Chartreux,  where  he  en- 
trencht  them  so  well  that  we  could  by  no 
means  come  to  them,  and  himself  with  the 
residue  of  his  Camp  remain'd  at  Arbeirotte, 
and  part  of  his  Cavalry  were  quarter 'd  at 
Bonconvent.  He  trusted  to  the  Garrison 
he  had  in  the  Fort  St  Mark  every  night  to 
go  to  the  Patrouille,  and  to  scoure  the  road 
on  that  side  towards  Fontebrando,  that  no 
provision  should  enter  into  Sienna  ;  yet  could 
he  not  order  it  so  but  that  there  entre'd 
Cows  and  Buffles  for  six  weeks  together.  I 
think  the  thing  that  made  the  Marquis  pro- 
ceed with  so  much  leisure  and  moderation 
was  that  he  waited  for  my  death  and  that 
of  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  ;  making  account 
that  we  being  once  dead,  and  Monsieurs  de 
Lansac  and  de  Fourqueveux  taken  prisoners, 
our  people,  wanting  a  French-man  to  head 
them,  would  deliberate  to  retire  :  Monsieur 


222        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

de  Strozzy  nevertheless  recover 'd,  and  being 
told  that  I  was  dead  (for  by  reason  1  had  for 
three  dayes  been  look't  upon  as  a  dead  man, 
no  one  entering  into  my  Chamber  but  the 
Priests  to  take  care  of  my  soul,  for  my  Body 
was  given  over  by  the  Physicians,  they  had 
sent  him  such  word),  Monsieur  de  Strozzy, 
I  say,  seeing  Monsieur  de  Lansac  taken,  and 
me  dead,  would  venture  to  come  from 
Montalsin,  and  to  put  himself  into  Sienna. 
According  to  this  resolution  then  he  departed 
in  the  beginning  of  the  night  from  Montalsin, 
and  six  Companies  of  foot  and  two  Troops 
of  horse,  one  of  which  was  commanded  by 
my  Nephew  Serillac,  who  before  he  set  out 
bethought  himself  to  borrow  three  or  four 
Trumpets  of  his  Companions,  fearing  that 
would  fall  out  which  did  ;  for  Monsieur  de 
Strozzy  could  not  so  secretly  depart  but 
that  the  Marquis  had  intelligence  of  his 
design,  and  with  all  his  Camp  lay  in  wait  for 
him  about  Fontebrando  and  all  along  the 
River  Tresse. 

Monsieur  de  Strozzy  had  placed  all  his 
Foot  before  and  his  Cavalry  behind,  being 
himself  mounted  upon  a  very  little  horse, 
and  having  his  leg  sustain'd  in  a  Scarfe 
fastned  to  the  pummel  of  his  Saddle,  and 
with  him  was    the  Bishop  of  Sienna.       So 


SIENA 


223 


soon  as  our  Italian  Foot  came  into  the 
Enemies  Ambuscado,  they  fell  upon  them 
with  so  great  a  fury  and  so  sudden  a  terror 
that  without  much  resistance  they  betook 
themselves  (o  flight,  and  bore  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  over  and  over,  who  with  the 
Bishop  got  amongst  the  ruins  of  some  old 
houses,  where  he  staid  holding  his  horse 
in  his  hand.  The  noise  was  so  great  that 
it  was  heard  to  Sienna,  it  benig  not  above 
a  mile  off  at  the  furthest.  The  Enemy 
follow'd  their  victory  with  great  execution, 
when  Serillac  with  his  Trumpets  charg'd 
through  the  middest  of  them  ;  who  hearing 
so  many  Trumpets,  and  seeing  the  horse 
fain  in  amongst  them,  faced  about  in  rout 
and  confusion,  and  ran  full  drive  upon  the 
Marquis,  who  seeing  the  disorder,  was  con- 
strain'd  to  retire  to  Arberiotte.  Now  those 
who  had  given  the  charge,  and  who  also  had 
receiv'd  it,  were  Spaniards  and  Italians  mixt 
together,  insomuch  that  our  people  fled  on 
the  one  side,  and  the  Enemy  on  the  other. 
Two  or  three  hundred  Italians  of  ours 
recover'd  the  walls  of  Sienna,  others  fled 
away  twelve  miles  from  thence,  and  old 
Captains  too,  whom  the  Mareschal  very  much 
esteem'd  :  but  the  bravest  men  in  the  world 
having  once  lost  their  judgment,  and  giving 


224        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

all  for  lost,  know  not  where  they  are.  By 
this  you  may  see  how  great  the  dangers 
of  war  are,  and  how  infamous  a  thing  it  is 
to  run  away  without  first  seeing  an  apparent 
danger.  During  this  bustle  the  day  began 
to  appear,  when  Serillac  remaining  upon  the 
place  found  he  had  lost  no  more  than  three 
or  four  of  his  Troop  only,  who  were  also  run 
away  with  the  Foot  :  but  I  believe  there  were 
not  many  left  of  the  other  Troop,  they  having 
only  a  Lieutenant  to  command  them.  Mon- 
sieur de  Strozzy  hearing  now  no  more  noise, 
with  much  ado  again  mounted  on  horseback, 
beginning  to  discover  our  Cavalry,  and  was 
looking  if  he  could  find  Serillac  amongst  the 
dead  bodies  :  when  seeing  him  come  to  him, 
I  leave  you  to  judge  what  joy  there  was  both 
on  the  one  side  and  on  the  other,  and  so 
they  marcht  together  straight  towards  the 
City.  Now  I  must  needs  say  that  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  herein  committed  one  of  the 
greatest  follies  that  any  man  in  his  command 
ever  did,  as  I  have  told  him  an  hundred 
times  since  ;  for  he  knew  very  well  that 
had  he  been  taken  all  the  world  could  not 
have  sav'd  him  from  being  put  to  an 
ignominious  death  by  the  Duke  of  Florence, 
so  profest  and  inveterate  a  hatred  he  had 
conceiv'd  against  him.    And  although  Serillac 


SIENA  225 

be  my  Nephew,  I  may  with  truth  give  him 
this  honor  and  commendation  that  he  was 
the  only  cause  of  Monsieur  de  Strozzy's 
safety  ;  which  I  may  the  better  be  bold  to 
write  because  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  himself 
told  me  so.  His  Troop  indeed  was  a  very 
good  one,  being  for  the  greatest  part  Gascons 
and  French  ;  for  it  was  the  old  Company 
of  Monsieur  de  Cypierre.  Of  Captains 
there  came  to  the  Town  only  Caraffa,  who 
was  since  Cardinal,  and  another  as  I  was 
told,  whose  name  I  have  forgot,  and  two  or 
three  hundred  Soldiers  whom  Monsieur  de 
Strozzy  would  not  suffer  to  come  into  the 
Town  but  that  night  sent  them  away  with 
the  aforesaid  Captain  and  kept  Caraffa  with 
him. 

So  soon  as  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  came 
into  the  City  he  presently  enquir'd  how  I 
did,  and  was  answer'd  that  for  three  or 
four  dayes  they  had  begun  to  conceive  some 
hopes  of  my  life,  whereupon  he  came 
and  alighted  at  my  lodging,  the  Bishop  and 
the  said  Gentleman  being  with  him,  where 
he  found  me  so  miserably  worn  away  that 
my  bones  had  pierc't  through  my  skin  in 
several  parts  of  my  body.  He  comforted 
me  after  the  best  manner  he  could,  and 
there  staid  twelve  dayes  expecting  how  God 


226        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

would  dispose  of  me  ;  when  seeing  me  from 
day  to  day  recover  strength  and  grow  into 
a  better  posture  of  health,  he  resolv'd  the 
thirteenth  day  in  the  beginning  of  the  night 
to  depart,  without  acquainting  any  one  with 
his  intention  but  myself  only.  A  little 
before  he  took  horse  he  and  the  Bishop  came 
to  take  their  leaves  of  me,  knowing  very  well 
that  his  being  there  would  cause  the  Marquis 
to  proceed  with  greater  vigour  against  the 
Town,  and  also  that  being  abroad  he  might 
find  some  way  or  other  to  relieve  me  ;  where 
at  parting  I  promised  and  assured  him  to 
hold  out  to  the  last  gasp. 

The  Mareschal  had  set  Guards  upon  all 
the  Roads  to  catch  him,  but  he  chose  to 
retire  by  a  way  by  which  of  all  other  the 
Mareschal  never  suspected  he  would  attempt 
to  pass  :  for  he  went  out  at  the  Port 
Camoglia,  from  whence  he  descended  on  the 
right  hand  down  into  the  Valley,  leaving  the 
Fort  of  Camoglia  above,  and  going  all  along 
by  the  River  towards  the  Palace  of  Dian. 
During  his  stay  in  Sienna  he  presently 
recover'd  of  his  wounds,  so  that  he  arm'd 
and  mounted  himself  upon  a  good  horse. 
He  met  by  the  way  fourty  or  fifty  of  the 
Enemies  foot,  which  gave  him  some  alarm, 
but  he  still  held  on  his  way  without  losing 


SIENA  227 

any  but  some  few  servants  only  belonging  to 
some  Gentlemen  who  went  out  of  the  City 
to  attend  him.  It  was  not  however  without 
peril.  In  a  few  dayes  he  escap'd  three  great 
dangers.  A  little  after  his  departure  I 
recover'd  my  health,  and  caused  my  self  to 
be  carried  in  a  chair  about  the  Town.  The 
Marquis  losing  no  time  shut  us  up  on  every 
side,  and  every  day  we  had  very  handsome 
skirmishes  :  but  I  knew  very  well  that  the 
Marquis  would  have  me  for  want  of  bread  ; 
which  was  the  reason  that  I  made  this 
Harangue  to  the  Captains,  whom  I  had 
assembled  together  to  that  effect. 

*  Gentlemen,  I  believe  there  is  none  of  us 

*  who  does  not  desire  to  come  off  from  this 

*  Siege  with  honor  and  repute  ;  the  thirst  of 
'  honor  has  brought  us  hither.     You  see  we 

*  are  here  shut  up  for  a  long  time,  for  we 

*  are  not  to  imagine  that  the  Enemy  will 
'  ever  rise  from  before  us  till  he  have  us  by 

*  one  way  or  another,  seeing  upon  the 
'  reducing  of  this  place  depends  his  victory. 

*  You  see  also  that  the  King  is  at  a  great 
'  distance  from  us,  and  that  therefore  of  a 
'  long  time  it  will  not  be  possible  for  him  to 
'  relieve  us,  forasmuch  as  he  must  of  necessity 
'  draw  our  succours  from  Germany,  and  out 
'  of  his  own  Kingdom  of  France,  the  Italians 


228        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

themselves  without  the  help  of  others  not 
being  sufficient  to  raise  the  Enemies  Siege, 
who  have  not  only  the  Forces  of  Italy  but 
moreover  of  almost  all  other  Nations. 
Now  in  expectation  of  this  relief  we  are  to 
have  a  long  patience  in  husbanding  as  much 
as  is  possible  our  provisions  ;  in  order 
whereunto  I  am  to  tell  you  that  I  have 
deliberated  to  lessen  the  Size  of  bread  from 
four  and  twenty  to  twenty  ounces.  I  know 
very  well  the  Soldiers  would  murmur 
at  this  if  you  did  not  remonstrate  to  them 
how  far  we  are  distant  from  the  King  ;  that 
his  Majesty  cannot  suddenly  relieve  us, 
and  that  you  will  rather  die  of  famine  than 
that  it  shall  be  laid  in  your  dish  that  had 
you  had  the  patience  to  lessen  your  diet  the 
Town  had  not  been  lost.  It  would  be  an 
infamous  reproach  to  have  it  said  that  you 
fiU'd  your  bellies  to  starve  your  honor  ; 
you  have  not  shut  your  selves  up  within 
these  walls  to  occasion  the  loss  and  ruine  of 
the  City,  but  to  defend  and  to  save  it. 
Represent  to  them  that  they  are  here 
amongst  strange  Nations,  where  they  may 
set  a  mark  of  honor  upon  their  own. 
What  glory  do  men  acquire  when  they  not 
only  obtain  honor  and  esteem  for  their  own 
particular    persons,    but  moreover  for   the 


SIENA  229 

Nation  from  whence  they  come  ?  'Tis 
what  a  generous  heart  should  principally 
propose  to  himself  for  the  reward  of  his 
doing  and  suffering.  You  Germans  shall 
return  home  proud  of  the  hardships  you 
have  sustein'd  and  the  dangers  you  have 
undergone,  and  we  Frenchmen  also  :  and 
as  for  you  who  are  Italians,  you  shall 
acquire  this  renown,  with  invincible  courages 
to  have  fought  for  the  liberty  of  your 
Country,  a  reputation  we  can  none  of  us 
obtein  but  by  a  long  patience  in  giving  the 
King  my  Master  time  to  relieve  us  ;  and 
believe,  I  beseech  you,  that  his  most 
Christian  Majesty  will  in  nothing  fail  of  the 
friendship  he  has  promised  and  sworn  to 
you.  If  you  remonstrate  all  this  to  your 
Soldiers,  and  that  they  see  and  know  that 
you  your  selves  are  thus  resolv'd  I  am 
assur'd  they  will  follow  the  same  wayes  you 
take.  Therefore,  Gentlmen,  never  think 
to  excuse  your  selves  upon  them  ;  I  have 
never  known  a  mutiny  happen  (and  yet  I 
have  seen  many)  thorough  Soldiers  alone, 
if  they  were  not  by  their  Officers  set  on 
and  encourag'd  to  it.  If  you  lead  them  the 
way,  there  is  nothing  they  will  not  do,  no 
incommodity  they  will  not  suffer.  Do 
it  then  I  beseech  you,  or  resolve  betimes  to 


230        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

*  discover  the  bottom    of  your   hearts,  and 

*  plainly  tell  us  you  have  no  mind  to  under- 

*  go  the  length  and  inconveniences  of  a 
'  Siege,  that  such  as  had  rather  dishonourably 
'  spend  their  time  in  eating  and  drinking 
'  than  stake  their  persons  upon  an  account  of 

*  honor,  may  depart  and  not  divert    others 

*  from  nobler  resolutions.'  Now  because 
the  Germans  did  not  understand  my 
Gibberish,  I  had  the  Rheincroc's  Interpreter 
tell  his  Master  what  I  said,  which  he  did, 
and  the  Rheincroc  made  answer  that  both  he 
and  his  Soldiers  would  put  on  the  same 
patience  that  we  our  selves  did  :  and  that 
although  it  was  said  of  the  Germans  that 
they  could  not  endure  without  eating  and 
drinking  their  fill,  both  he  and  his  upon  this 
occasion  would  manifest  the  contrary.  I 
was  in  plain  truth  the  most  afraid  of  these 
people,  because  they  love  to  make  good 
chear  more  than  we.  As  for  the  Italian,  he 
is  more  enur'd  to  hardship  and  suffering 
than  we  are.  Thus  then  every  one  retir'd 
to  his  own  Quarters  to  call  their  Companies 
together,  to  whom  they  accordingly  remon- 
strated the  same  things  that  I  had  represented 
to  them  before.  Which  having  heard,  the 
Soldiers  all  held  up  their  hands,  and  swore 
they  would  sufter  to  the  last  gasp  of  their 


SIENA  231 

lives  before  they  would  yield  or  do  anything 
unbecoming  men  of  honor.  I  then  sent  to  the 
Senate,  entreating  them  the  next  morning  to 
assemble  all  the  chief  men  of  the  City  to  the 
Palace,  to  hear  a  remonstrance  I  had  to  make 
to  them  that  concern'd  them  and  their  affairs, 
which  they  did,  and  there  in  Italian  I  made 
them  the  following  Oration. 

*  Gentlemen,    had    Almighty    God    been 

*  pleased  sooner  to  restore  to  me  my 
'  health  and  memory,  I  had  sooner 
'  thought  of  what  we  are  to  do  for  the  con- 
'  servation  of  your  liberty  and  the  defence  of 
'  this  City.  You  have  all  seen  how  I  have 
'  by  sickness  been  reduc't  to  the  very  door  of 
'  death,  and  how  God  at  last  has  rather  by 
'miracle  than  any  operation  of  Nature  raised 
'  me  up  again  to  do  yet  more  service  for 
'  this    Republick    in    such    and    so    great    a 

*  necessity.     Now,  Gentlemen,   I  very  well 

*  see  that  the  conservation  of  your  City  and 
'  Liberty  consists  in  nothing  but  the  making 
'  your  provisions  hold  out  ;  for  should  the 

*  Marquis  attempt  to  have  us  by  force,  we 
'  shall  I  hope  give  him  such  an  entertainment 

*  as  shall  make  him  curse  the  hour  that  ever  he 
'  came  to  besiege  Sienna  :  but  I  perceive  he 
'  has  no  mind  to  go  that  way  to  work  ;  on 

*  the  contrary,  he  intends  to  reduce  us  by 


232        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

famine  ;  against  which  we  must  if  possible 
provide,  and  defeat  him  of  that  expectation. 
1  yesterday  called  together  the  Colonel  of 
the  Germans  and  his  Captains,  Signior 
Cornelio  here  present  with  his,  and  Combas 
also  with  his  French  Officers,  to  whom  I 
remonstrated  that  to  prolong  time  and  to 
give  the  most  Christian  King  leisure  to 
relieve  us,  it  would  be  necessary  to  lessen 
the  Soldiers  bread  from  four  and  twenty 
to  twenty  ounces.  Telling  them  that  so 
soon  as  all  the  world  should  know,  and 
particularly  the  King,  that  we  are  re- 
solv'd  to  hold  out  to  the  last  morsel,  it  will 
incite  his  Majesty  to  fall  speedily  in  hand 
with  levying  of  succours,  that  so  many  brave 
men  may  not  be  lost,  and  that  he  may  not 
seem  to  abandon  those  he  has  taken  into  his 
protection  in  a  time  of  the  greatest  necessity 
and  danger.  Now,  by  what  I  have  been  told 
you  have,  during  the  time  of  my  extremity, 
taken  account  of  your  provisions,  and  have 
only  found  so  much  as  to  last  to  the  fifteenth 
of  November.  Of  which  you  have  also 
sent  word  to  his  Majesty,  a  thing  that  may 
very  well  give  him  occasion  to  grow  cold  in 
sending  us  relief,  considering  the  great 
distance  betwixt  him  and  us,  and  that  also 
Winter  is  drawing  on.     Armies  do  not  fly 


SIENA  233 

*  nor  ride  Post.     His  succours  will  be  worthy 

*  a  great  Prince,  suitable  to  the  friendship  he 

*  bears    to  you,  and   sufficient    to  force   the 

*  Enemy  from  your  Walls,  and  therefore 
'  cannot  so  suddenly  be  set  on  foot.  Now 
'  (Gentlemen)  after  I  had  remonstrated  thus 
'  much  to  the  Captains,  I  found  them  all  ready 

*  to  suffer  to  the  last  gasp  of  their  lives,  and 

*  Nation  for  Nation  went  to  make  the  same 

*  Remonstrance  to  their  Soldiers,  whom  they 
'  found  all  willing  to  have  patience,  and  so 
'  have  both  promised  and  sworn.  See  then 
*what  you  Siennois  ought  to  do,  seeing  it 

*  concerns  the  loss  of  your  Liberties  and 
'  Seigneuries,  and  peradventure  of  your  lives  ; 

*  for  you  are  to  expect  no  good  usage,  having 

*  put  yourselves  under  the  King's  protection. 
«  I  beseech  you  therefore,  that  since  we  who 

<  have  nothrng  here  to  lose,  neither  wives  nor 

<  fires,  have  shew'd  you  the  way,  you  will 

<  consider  of  it,  to  regulate  the  expence,  and 

<  appoint  Commissaries  to  take  an  account  of 

<  all  the  corn  you  have  in  the  City,  and  also 
«  of  the  mouths  ;  and  this  being  done,  begin 

<  to  reduce  your  bread  to  fifteen  ounces,  for 

<  it  is  not  possible  but  you  must  have  some 

*  little  conveniency  in  your  houses,  that  the 

<  Soldiers  cannot  have.     And  of  all  this  good 

<  order  I  shall  advertize  the  King's  Ministers 


234        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

'  at  Rome,  and  from  thence  shall  cause  a 
'  Gentleman  to  go  on  forwards  to  the  King 

*  himself,  to  the  end  that  his  Majesty  may 

*  judge  what  time  he   may  have  wherein  to 

*  relieve  us,  and  for  the  rest  rely  upon  me, 
'  who  will  have  no  more  priviledge  than  the 
'  meanest  Citizen.     The  Fast  that  we  shall 

*  keep  shall  not  only  be  for  our  sins,  but  also 
'  for  the  saving  of  your  lives  ;  for  the  con- 
'  servation  of  which  I  will  willingly  lay  down 
'  my  own.  Credete  Signiori^  che  fin  a  la  morte^ 
'  to  vi  gardaro  qiiello  che  vi  o  promisso^  riposate 
'  vi  sopra  di  me.'' 

They  then  return'd  me  very  many  thanks 
for  the  good  advice  I  had  given  them, 
which  only  tended  to  their  own  preservation, 
entreating  me  to  retire  to  my  lodging  for- 
asmuch as  they  would  go  into  the  great 
Hall,  where  all  the  most  eminent  persons  of 
the  City  were  assembled,  to  whom  they 
would  give  an  account  of  what  I  had  said 
to  them,  and  that  within  two  hours  by  two 
of  their  Senators  they  would  return  me  an 
answer,  and  so  I  departed  from  them.  They 
were  as  good  as  their  words,  and  my  Pro- 
position being  represented  in  this  Assembly, 
they  at  last  all  with  one  voice  resolv'd  to 
eat  to  their  very  wives  and  children  rather 
not  to  wait  the  King's   pleasure,  upon   the 


SIENA  235 

confidence  they  reposed  in  him  of  a  certain 
relief,  and  immediately  went  about  taking 
of  order  for  the  contracting  the  allowance 
of  bread,  and  for  the  taking  an  inventory  of 
both  Corn  and  other  provision,  which  in 
five  or  six  days  was  dispatch't.  1  then  sent 
away  Monsieur  de  L'Escussan,  but  with  very 
great  difficulty,  for  the  Marquis  caused  strict 
Guard  to  be  kept  to  hinder  any  from  bringing 
us  in  any  provisions,  and  as  many  Country- 
men as  were  taken  attempting  so  to  do 
were  immediately  hang'd  without  mercy. 
L'Escussan  went  first  to  Montalsin,  there  to 
give  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  an  account  of 
all  proceedings,  that  he  might  give  notice 
thereof  to  the  King's  Ministers  at  Rome, 
and  from  thence  went  to  his  Majesty  to 
represent  unto  him  the  miserable  condition 
of  the  Siennois,  and  I  had  given  him  in 
charge  to  do,  and  this  might  be  about  the 
middle  of  October. 

From  this  time  forward  I  could  do  nothing 
worth  speaking  of  until  Christmas  Eve, 
saving  that  a  little  after  the  departure  of  the 
said  L'Escussan,  we  again  abated  the  Soldiers 
bread  to  eighteen  ounces,  and  that  of  the 
City  to  fourteen,  though  all  the  while 
there  were  frequent  skirmishes,  and  very 
handsomely  fought    on    both  sides.     Upon 


236        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Christmas  Eve,  about  four  of  the  clock  in 
the  afternoon,  the  Marquis  de  Marignano 
by  one  of  his  Trumpets,  sent  me  half  a  stag, 
six  Capons,  six  Partridges,  six  Borachio's 
of  excellent  wine,  and  six  loaves  of  white 
bread,  wherewith  the  next  day  to  keep  the 
Feast.  I  did  nothing  wonder  at  this 
courtesie,  because  in  the  extremity  of  my 
sickness  he  had  permitted  my  Physitians  to 
send  men  through  his  Camp  to  fetch  certain 
drugs  from  Florence,  and  had  himself  three 
or  four  times  sent  me  a  very  excellent  sort 
of  Birds,  a  little  bigger  than  the  Beccasicco's 
that  are  taken  in  Provence.  He  had  also 
suffer'd  a  Mule  to  enter  the  Town  laden 
with  Greek  wine,  which  was  sent  me  by  the 
Cardinal  of  Armagnac,  my  people  having 
sentjthe  Cardinal  word  that  in  the  height  of 
my  sickness  I  talkt  of  nothing  but  drinking 
a  little  Greek  wine.  Whereupon  he  so 
order'd  the  business,  [that  the  I'Cardinal  de 
Medici  writ  to  the  Marquis  his  Brother  to 
suffer  it  to  come  in  to  me,  it  being  sent 
under  pretence  of  making  me  a  Bath.  The 
wine  came  at  a  time  when  I  was  at  the  last 
gasp,  and  so  was  not  deliver'd  to  me  ;  but 
the  half  of  it  divided  amongst  the  big- 
bellied  women  of  the  Town.  Whilst 
Monsieur  de  Strozzy  was  there  I  gave  him 


SIENA  237 

three  or  four  bottles  of  it,  the  rest  I  drank 
as  they  do  Hippocras  in  the  Mornings. 
All  these  civilities  1  had  receiv'd  from  the 
Marquis  before,  which  made  me  nothing 
wonder  at  the  Present  he  sent  me  now  : 
Part  of  which  1  sent  to  the  Seigneury,  part 
to  the  Rheincroc,  and  the  rest  1  reserv'd  for 
Signior  Cornelio,  the  Count  de  Gayas,  and 
myself,  because  we  commonly  ate  together. 
Such  little  civilities  as  these  are  very  gentile 
and  commendable,  even  betwixt  the  greatest 
Enemies  ;  if  there  be  no  thing  particular 
betwixt  them,  as  there  was  not  betwixt  us 
two.  He  serv'd  his  Master,  and  I  serv'd 
mine  :  He  attaqu't  me  for  his  honor,  and 
I  defended  my  self  for  mine.  He  had  a 
mind  to  acquire  reputation,  and  so  had  I. 
'Tis  for  Turks  and  Sarazens  to  deny  an 
indifferent  courtesie  even  to  an  Enemy  :  but 
then  it  must  not  be  such  a  one,  or  of  such 
importance  as  to  break  or  endammage  your 
design. 

But  whilst  the  Marquis  caress'd  me  with 
his  Presents,  which  I  only  payd  back  in 
thanks,  he  was  preparing  for  me  another 
kind  of  feast ;  for  the  same  night  about  an 
hour  after  midnight  he  with  all  his  Army 
gave  a  Scalado  to  the  Cittadel,  and  to  the 
Fort  Camoglia.      'Tis  a  strange  thing   that 


238        BLAISE  DE    MONLUC 

above  a  month  before  my  mind  gave  me, 
and  seem'd  to  presage  that  the  Marquis 
would  give  me  a  Scalado  and  that  Captain 
St  Auban  would  be  cause  of  the  loss  of  the 
Fort.  This  was  evermore  running  in  my 
head,  and  that  the  Germans  also  would 
occasion  the  loss  of  the  Cittadel,  into  which 
an  Ensign  of  that  Nation  every  night  entred, 
to  keep  Guard  there  ;  and  that  was  the 
reason  why  I  plac't  an  Ensign  of  Siennois  in 
Guard  overagainst  the  Gate  of  the  Cittadel. 
Signor  Cornelio  prevail'd  so  far  with  the 
Rheincroc,  that  he  promised  him  that  in  case 
of  an  Alarm,  and  that  the  Enemy  should 
offer  an  assault  to  the  Cittadel,  the  German 
Captain  that  he  plac't  there  every  night 
upon  the  Guard  should  from  him  have 
command  to  let  in  the  Siennois  to  help  to 
defend  it,  though  I  think  he  that  night 
forgot  so  to  do.  Every  night  I  went  to  see 
a  Company  of  French  Foot  mount  the 
Guard  in  the  Fort  Camoglia,  and  another  of 
Siennois  betwixt  the  Fort  and  the  Gate  of 
the  City,  under  a  great  Market-house,  which 
on  the  two  sides  was  enclosed  with  a  little 
Trench  ;  but  in  the  front  of  it,  which  went 
directly  to  the  Fort,  it  was  all  plain  with  the 
pavement,  and  it  might  be  from  this  Court 
of  Guard  to  the  Foot  threescore  or  fourscore 


SIENA  239 

paces,  and  as  much  to  the  Gate  of  the  City. 
I  plac't  this  Guard  there  for  two  reasons, 
whereof  one  was  to  relieve  the  Fort  if 
occasion  should  be,  as  the  other  Company  of 
Siennois  was  to  do  the  Cittadel,  and  the  other 
to  watch  that  the  Enemy  did  not  storm  the 
Wall  of  the  City  ;  forasmuch  as  on  the  left 
hand,  at  the  going  out  of  the  Town,  the 
wall  was  very  low,  and  moreover  a  part 
thereof  fallen  down.  I  had  several  times 
before  said  to  Signior  Cornelio,  and  to  the 
Count  de  Gayas,  seeing  Captain  St  Auban's 
Company  enter  into  the  Fort,  these  words. 
Would  you  believe  that  it  eternally  runs  in 
my  mind  that  we  shall  lose  this  Fort  thorough 
the  default  of  Captain  St  Auban  and  his 
Company  ?  I  never  saw  him  enter  into  it, 
that  it  did  not  put  me  into  a  fit  of  an  Ague, 
out  of  the  ill  conceit  1  had  of  him.  I  could 
never  fancy  him  in  my  heart,  because  he 
never  had  twenty  men  of  appearance  in  his 
Company,  for  he  valued  a  Teston  more  than 
the  bravest  man  under  the  Sun,  and  as  to 
himself  he  would  never  stir  from  his  lodging, 
for  any  thing  either  I  or  any  of  his  com- 
panions could  say  to  him.  I  could  have 
wisht  him  far  enough  off,  I  had  so  strange 
an  aversion  to  him.  And  these  were  the 
reasons  why    I   ever   fancied  that  this  man 


240        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

would    bring    upon    me    some    mischief  or 
other. 

Our  Fort  of  Camoglia  was  environ'd  with 
a  ditch  of  a  Pikes  length  in  wideness,  and  as 
much  in  depth,  and  not  much  more  on  three 
sides  ;  and  in  the  front  of  it  which  butted 
directly  upon  the  Siennois  Court  of  Guard, 
nothing  but  a  little  Rampire  of  six  or  seven 
foot  high,  and  no  more  ;  and  about  the 
middle  of  the  Rampire  there  was  a  little 
lench  or  half  pace,  where  the  Soldiers  had  so 
much  room  only  as  to  sustein  themselves 
upon  their  knees.  The  Enemy  had  another 
Fort  three  times  as  big  as  ours,  and  just 
opposite  to  it,  within  an  hundred  and  fifty 
paces  the  one  of  the  other.  So  that  neither 
they  nor  we  durst  pop  up  a  head  without 
being  hurt  from  that  Quarter  ;  and  in  ours 
there  was  a  little  Tower  exactly  overagainst 
theirs,  where  for  greater  security  we  had 
evermore  three  or  four  Soldiers  which  serv'd 
us  for  Centinels,  and  who  got  up  into  it  by 
a  little  hand  ladder,  as  they  do  into  a 
Pidgeon-house.  The  said  Tower  had  been 
broke  through  on  that  side  towards  the 
Enemies  Fort,  and  we  had  there  plac't  barrels 
fill'd  with  earth,  for  the  hole  had  been  made 
by  the  Artillery  from  their  Fort.  Which 
Fort  of  theirs    Monsieur    de    Termes    had 


SIENA  241 

caused  to  be  made  ;  but  when  he  went  away 
it  was  not  wholly  finish't  :  nevertheless  when 
the  Duke  of  Florence  broke  with  the  King, 
the  Marquis  in  one  night  made  a  very  long 
march,  carrying  a  great  number  of  Pioneers 
along  with  him,  and  possessing  himself  of  it, 
(for  there  was  no  Guard  kept  there) 
immediately  put  it  into  defence. 

Now,  as  I  have  said  before,  at  one  of  the 
clock  in  the  night  the  Marquis  at  once  gave 
me  a  Scalado  both  to  the  Cittadel  and  the  Fort 
Camoglia,  where  by  ill  luck  the  Company  of 
St  Auban  was  this  night  upon  duty.  The 
Marquis  with  the  Spanish  and  German  Foot 
assaulted  the  Cittadel,  where  by  good  fortune 
they  had  but  three  Ladders  long  enough, 
and  at  the  very  first  so  overcharg'd  those 
three  with  men,  that  one  of  them  broke. 
Our  Germans  defended,  and  the  Siennois 
presented  themselves  at  the  Gate,  as  they 
were  appointed  to  do.  But  the  Captain  of 
the  Germans  who  had  the  command  of  the 
Gate  would  by  no  means  let  them  in.  This 
dispute  lasted  for  about  half  an  hour,  during 
which  five  or  six  of  the  Enemy  entred, 
and  forc't  the  Germans,  who  began  to  turn 
their  backs  and  fly.  They  then  open'd  the 
Gate  to  the  Siennois,  who  ran  to  the  head  of 
the  Cittadel,  where  the  Enemy  began  to 
Q 


242        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

enter,  and  met  these  five  or  six  who  were 
already  entered,  whom  they  cut  in  pieces, 
two  of  them  being  the  Marquis  his  Kinsmen, 
one  whereof  did  not  immediately  die  ;  and 
this  cool'd  the  courage  of  the  rest  who  were 
upon  the  point  to  enter.  At  the  same  time 
they  gave  a  Scalado  to  the  Fort  Camoglia. 
St  Auban  was  in  the  City,  in  bed  at  his 
ease,  and  his  Lieutenant,  call'd  Comborcy, 
was  at  the  Fort,  a  young  man  of  no  ex- 
perience ;  but  that  I  think  had  he  had  good 
men  in  his  Company  would  have  done  his 
duty.  They  are  both  of  them  turn'd 
Hugonots  since.  So  soon  as  the  Enemy 
presented  their  Ladders  by  the  three 
Courtins,  all  his  Company  betook  them 
to  their  heels,  and  the  Enemy  consequently 
entred  in  ;  and  of  the  four  that  were  in 
the  Tower,  three  threw  themselves  headlong 
down,  and  the  fourth  beat  down  the  barrels 
from  the  hole,  and  drew  the  Enemy  in. 
This  Rogue  had  been  taken  a  few  dayes 
before,  and  had  remain'd  above  ten  dayes 
prisoner,  and  I  do  believe  it  was  upon  his 
account  that  the  Marquis  resolv'd  upon 
this  Scalado  ;  for  he  went  away  with  them, 
and  we  never  saw  him  after.  Now  Signior 
Cornelio  and  the  Count  de  Gayas  were 
lodg'd  near  unto   the  Port   Camoglia,  who 


SIENA  243 

immediately  upon  the  Alarm  ran  to  the 
Gate,  where  they  found  the  greatest  part 
of  the  Company  of  the  Siennois  before  it, 
and  the  rest  were  firing  at  the  Enemy  who 
sallyed  out  of  the  Fort  to  fall  upon  them. 
Signior  Cornelio  then  left  the  Count  de 
Gayas  at  the  Gate,  and  came  running  to 
give  me  the  Alarm,  where  he  met  me 
coming  out  of  my  lodging  with  two  Pages, 
each  of  them  carrying  two  Torches,  and 
whom  I  immediately  sent  back,  bidding  him 
both  he  and  the  Count  de  Gayas  to  go  out, 
and  of  all  things  to  take  care  that  the 
Siennois  did  not  forsake  their  Court  of 
Guard,  and  to  encourage  them  the  best  he 
could,  for  I  would  presently  come  out 
after  him.  He  did  as  I  bid  him,  and  came 
in  so  opportune  a  season  that  he  found 
all  abandoned,  and  gave  the  Enemy  a  charge 
with  the  Siennois,  and  beat  them  back  into 
the  Fort  they  had  taken.  The  Alarm  was 
already  throughout  the  whole  City,  and 
some  ran  to  the  Cittadel,  and  others  to 
the  Fort  of  Camoglia.  As  I  arriv'd  at  the 
Gate  there  came  to  me  la  Moliere  and 
r  Espine,  both  on  horseback,  the  one  being 
Muster-Master  and  the  other  Treasurer, 
whom  1  commanded  the  one  to  the  Port 
St  Mark  and  the  other  to  Porto  Nuovo,  and 


244        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

that  by  the  way  as  they  went  they  should 
cry  out  victory,  the  Enemy  is  repuls't. 
Which  I  did,  fearing  lest  some  in  the  Town 
might  have  intelligence  with  the  Enemy, 
who  hearing  this  cry  would  not  dare  to 
discover  themselves.  In  the  mean  time  I 
was  at  the  Gate  of  the  City,  sending  out 
the  Captains  and  French  Soldiers  to  succour 
Signior  Cornelio,  and  when  I  saw  that  there 
were  enow  gone  out,  I  commanded  the 
Lieutenant  of  Captain  Lussan  to  stay  at 
the  Gate,  and  to  shut  the  Wicket  so  soon 
as  ever  I  was  out,  and  that  in  case  I  should 
be  beaten  back,  he  should  by  no  means 
open  it,  but  rather  suffer  us  all  to  be  killed 
without,  and  me  in  the  first  place.  I 
then  went  out  with  my  four  Torches,  and 
found  Signior  Cornelio,  the  Count  de  Gayas, 
and  the  other  Captains  I  had  sent  out,  who 
had  recovered  the  Rampire  and  had  placed  the 
Soldiers  upon  the  little  half  pace  upon  their 
knees,  who  shot  at  the  Enemy  into  the  Fort, 
and  they  again  at  ours,  who  could  not  put 
up  their  heads  without  being  discovered,  and 
on  the  other  two  sides  the  Enemy  assaulted, 
and  ours  defended.  Now  whilst  I  was 
putting  the  men  out  at  the  Wicket,  St  Auban 
slipt  by  without  my  seeing  him.  The  Gate 
into  the  Fort  which  we  had  lost  was  con- 


SIENA  245 

trived  after  the  manner  of  a  hole,  having  one 
step  forwards,  and  another  on  one  side, 
waving  and  winding  to  and  fro,  and  so 
straight  that  one  man  only  could  enter  a 
breast.  In  this  Entry  I  found  Captain 
Bourg,  who  was  Ensign  to  Captain  Charry, 
Signior  Cornelio,  and  the  Count  de  Gayas 
close  by  him.  Monsieur  de  Bassompierre 
Master  of  the  Ordnance  was  always  with  me, 
and  one  of  his  Canoneers.  I  saw  very  well 
that  the  fight  was  like  to  continue,  and 
fearing  lest  our  powder  should  fail  us,  bad 
Monsieur  de  Bassompierre  dispatch  away 
two  of  his  Canoneers  to  fetch  more,  which  he 
did,  and  I  dare  boldly  say  he  was  as  much 
the  cause  of  our  safety  as  all  our  fighting,  as 
you  shall  hear.  Those  that  we  fought  withal 
were  Italians,  for  the  Spaniards  and  Germans 
stormed  the  Cittadel.  I  continually  ran  first 
to  one  and  then  to  another,  crying  out  to 
them,  *  Courage  friends,  courage  comrades,' 
and  presently  on  that  side  on  the  right  hand 
of  the  Gate  where  the  three  forenamed  stood, 
1  spyed  St  Auban,  to  whom  (running  to 
him,  and  setting  the  point  of  my  sword  to 
his  throat),  I  said  *  Rogue  !  Son  of  a  whore  ! 
'  thou  art  the  cause  that  we  shall  lose  the 

*  City,    which     notwithstanding    thou    shalt 

*  never  live  to  see,  for  I  will  at  this  instant 


246        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

*  kill  thee  if  thou  dost  not  immediately  leap 

*  into  the  Fort '  :  to  which  (sufficiently 
terrified)  he  made  answer,  'Yes  Sir,  I  will 
'  leap  in,'  and  then  called  to  him  Lussan, 
Bla9on,  and  Combas,  who  were  his  Com- 
panions, saying  to  them, '  Come  on  Comrades, 
'  second  me,  I  pray  leap  in  after  me '  ;  to 
which  they  made  answer,  *Do  thou  leap, 
'  and  we  will  follow  '  ;  whereupon  I  said  to 
him,  '  Take  thou  no  care,  I  will  follow  thee 
'  my  self,'  and  we  all  set  foot  upon  the  hair 
pace  with  him,  and  immediately  after  this 
first  step,  without  any  more  delaying  (for  if 
he  had  he  had  died  for't)  he  threw  himself 
desperately  in,  having  a  Target  upon  his 
arm,  and  his  Companions  also,  for  he  was  no 
sooner  in  the  air,  but  the  rest  were  also  with 
him,  and  so  all  four  leapt  in  together,  and  it 
was  within  two  steps  of  the  Entry,  that  le 
Bourg,  Signior  Cornelio,  and  the  Count  de 
Gayas  disputed.  I  then  immediately  made 
fifteen  or  twenty  Soldiers  leap  in  after  the 
four  Captains,  and  as  all  these  were  within, 
le  Bourg,  Signior  Cornelio,  and  the  Count  de 
Gayas  passed  and  entred  into  the  Fort.  I 
caused  the  Torches  to  be  set  upon  the 
Rampire,  that  we  might  see,  and  not  kill  one 
another,  and  my  self  entred  by  the  same  way 
Signior  Cornelio  had  gone  before  me.     Now 


SIENA  247 

neither  Pikes,  Halberts,  nor  Harquebuzes 
could  serve  us  for  any  use  here,  for  we  were 
at  it  with  Swords  and  Steeletto's,  with  which 
we  made  them  leap  over  the  Curtains  by  the 
same  way  they  had  entred,  excepting  those 
who  were  killed  within.  There  were  yet 
however  some  remaining  in  the  Tower, 
when  Captain  Charry  came  up  to  us,  though 
but  eight  days  before  he  had  received  an 
Harquebuz  shot  in  his  head,  and  such  a 
one  as  that  thereupon  we  had  given  him  for 
dead,  notwithstanding  there  he  was  with  his 
Sword  and  Target,  and  a  Morrion  upon  his 
head  over  the  Cap  that  cover'd  his  wound : 
a  good  heart  will  ever  manifest  itself ;  for 
though  he  was  desperately  hurt,  yet  would 
he  have  his  share  of  the  fight.  I  was  at  the 
foot  of  the  Ladder,  and  had  sent  Signior 
Cornelio  and  the  Count  de  Gayas  out  of  the 
Fort  to  encourage  those  who  defended  the 
Flanks,  bidding  them  take  the  one  the  one 
side,  and  the  other  the  other,  as  they  did, 
and  found  work  enough  to  do.  I  then 
took  Captain  Charry  by  the  hand,  and  said, 

*  Captain  Charry,  I  have  bred  you  up  to  die 

*  in  some  brave  service  for  the  King,  you 
'  must  mount  the  first '  ;  which  said,  he  (who 
was  certainly  a  man  of  as  much  courage  as 
ever  any  man  had)  without  any  more  dispute 


248        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

began  to  climb  the  Ladder,  which  could  not 
be  above  ten  or  twelve  staves,  and  he  was 
to  enter  by  a  Trap-door  above,  as  I  have 
said  before.  I  had  very  good  Harquebuzeers, 
whom  I  made  continually  to  shot  at  the  hole 
of  this  Trap-door,  and  put  two  of  the  said 
Harquebuzeers  upon  the  Ladder  to  follow 
after  him  :  1  had  two  Torches  with  me  (for 
the  other  two  Signior  Cornelio  and  the  Count 
had  taken  along  with  them)  by  the  light 
whereof  we  saw  so  clearly  that  the 
Harquebuzeers  did  no  hurt  to  Captain 
Charry,  who  mounted  step  by  step,  still 
giving  our  Harquebuzeers  time  to  fire,  and 
so  soon  as  he  came  to  thrust  up  his  head  into 
the  Trap-door,  they  fir'd  two  Harquebuzes, 
which  pierced  through  his  Target  and 
Morrion  without  touching  his  head.  The 
Harquebuzeer  who  followed  next  after  him 
discharged  his  Harquebuz  under  his  Target, 
by  which  means  Captain  Charry  advanced 
the  last  step,  and  so  they  all  three  leapt  in  the 
one  after  the  other,  where  they  kill'd  three 
of  the  Enemy,  and  the  rest  leapt  out  at  the 
hole.  Those  in  the  Flancks  were  also 
beaten  off,  and  so  our  Fort  was  regain 'd  on 
every  side. 

Now  the  Marquis  had  given  order  to  him 
that    commanded    at    the    Scalado    of    the 


SIENA  249 

Fort,  which  was  the  Governor  of  their  Fort 
of  Camoglia,  that  in  case  he,  the  Marquis, 
should  first  enter  by  the  Cittadel,  that  then 
he  should  come  away  to  him  with  all  his 
Italians,  and  if  also  he  should  first  gain  the 
Fort,  that  then  he  would  come  with  his 
Spaniards  and  Germans  to  relieve  him. 
According  to  this  Agreement,  so  soon  as  the 
Governor  of  the  Fort  had  gain'd  ours,  he 
presently  sent  to  acquaint  the  Marquis  with 
it ;  but  there  being  several  little  valleys 
betwixt  the  Cittadel  and  the  Fort  Camoglia, 
the  said  Marquis  could  not  come  so  soon 
as  he  would,  though  he  had  made  so  good 
haste  that  when  we  had  thought  all  had 
been  at  an  end,  we  saw  their  whole  Camp 
coming  upon  us,  having  above  an  hundred 
and  fifty  torches  with  them  ;  at  which  time 
by  good  fortune  Bassompierre's  two  Canoneers 
returned  with  the  powder,  which  in  great 
haste  we  divided  amongst  the  Harque- 
buzeers,  for  they  had  none  left,  and  turning 
about,  I  bad  him  send  them  again  for  more. 
At  the  same  instant  la  Moliere  and  L'Espine 
return'd  to  me,  when  I  immediately  sent 
back  la  Moliere  to  the  Standard-bearer  of 
St  Martin  to  send  me  two  hundred  of  the 
best  Harquebuzeers  he  had,  and  send  them 
by  the   Son   of  Misser  Bernardin,  a  young 


250        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

man  that  carried  a  Colours  in  his  regiment, 
full  of  courage,  and  of  whom  I  had  taken 
particular  notice  in  several  skirmishes,  who 
accordingly  came  in  all  haste  and  found  us 
at  it  with  the  whole  Camp.  I  then  left 
Signior  Cornelio  and  the  Count  de  Gayas 
with  the  other  Captains  to  defend  the  Fort, 
and  my  self,  Bassompierre,  and  the  Muster- 
Master  went  along  the  Flancks,  doing 
nothing  but  run  up  and  down  from  place  to 
place  to  encourage  our  people.  It  might 
be  about  three  hours  after  midnight  when 
we  rebegan  the  fight,  and  it  lasted  till  the 
day  took  them  off.  They  there  committed 
one  of  the  greatest  pieces  of  folly  that  ever 
men  did  ;  for  by  the  light  of  so  many  torches 
we  saw  them  more  plainly  than  if  it  had 
been  broad  day,  whereas  had  they  taken 
the  advantage  of  the  night,  and  advanced 
with  few  lights,  they  had  put  us  a  great 
deal  more  hardly  to't  than  they  did.  The 
two  hundred  Siennois  Harquebuzeers  that 
the  Son  of  Misser  Bernardin  brought  did 
us  notable  service,  as  also  did  the  Powder 
that  Bassompierre  sent  for,  for  we  had  use 
for  it  all  before  we  parted,  by  reason  of  the 
long  continuance  of  the  fight,  where  it  was 
well  assaulted  and  better  defended. 

This  was  the  issue  of  the  fight,  the  greatest 


SIENA  251 

and  of  the  greatest  duration  without  a  Battail 
wherein  I  have  ever  been,  and  where  I 
believe  God  Almighty  did  as  much  assist 
me,  if  not  more,  preserving  my  judgment 
all  the  while  entire,  as  at  any  time  in  my 
whole  life  ;  for  had  I  fail'd  in  the  least 
particle  of  command  we  had  all  been  lost, 
and  the  City  to  boot ;  for  on  that  side  we 
had  not  fortified  at  all,  and  all  our  confidence 
was  in  this  Fort  :  1  protest  to  God,  that  for 
at  least  three  months  after  my  hair  stood  on 
end,  so  oft  as  I  called  to  mind  the  danger 
we  had  been  in.  The  Enemy  there  lost 
six  hundred  men  killed  and  wounded,  as 
we  were  enform'd  by  prisoners  we  took, 
and  we  lost  but  an  hundred  and  fifty  in  all, 
both  hurt  and  slain.  That  which  made  them 
lose  so  many  was  the  light  of  the  Torches, 
which  gave  our  men  such  aim  that  they 
could  not  miss,  especially  being  within  a 
Pikes  distance  or  two  at  the  most  of  one 
another,  which  was  a  great  incongruity  in 
the  Marquis,  as  I  said  before  :  for  we  having 
but  little  light,  and  they  so  much,  we  dis- 
covered them  so  plain  as  gave  us  a  mighty 
advantage.  So  soon  as  it  was  fair  light  day 
we  went  to  take  a  view  of  what  dead  we  had 
in  the  Fort  amongst  theirs,  where  I  found 
my  Valet  de  Chambre  and  my  Groom,  who 


252        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

both  leapt  in  after  the  Captains  ;  in  my  life 
I  never  had  two  better  servants.  Signior 
Cornelio  and  the  Count  de  Gayas  went 
likewise  to  visit  the  Cittadel,  for  1  was  no 
longer  able  to  stand,  being  yet  so  weak  with 
my  great  sickness,  that  with  a  puff  one  might 
have  blown  me  down  ;  so  that  I  wonder  how 
I  was  ever  able  to  take  such  pains  :  but  God 
redoubled  my  forces  in  time  of  need  ;  for 
in  truth  during  all  this  great  and  tedious 
fight  I  never  ceased  running  and  skipping, 
now  here,  now  there,  without  ever  feeling 
my  self  weary,  till  there  appeared  no  more 
an  Enemy  to  molest  us.  They  came  and 
gave  me  an  account  of  all  that  had  past,  and 
there  found  a  Kinsman  of  the  Marquis,  who 
was  not  yet  dead,  whom  they  caused  to  be 
carried  to  their  Lodging  and  his  wounds 
dressed. 

I  will  not  forget  to  insert  here  for  an 
Exemple  to  others  that  if  ever  man  was 
well  seconded  in  a  time  of  so  great  danger, 
I  was,  and  would  for  no  consideration 
deprive  the  Chiefs  who  were  there  of  their 
due  honour,  nor  the  common  Soldiers,  for 
from  the  time  that  Signior  Cornelio  and  the 
Count  went  out  before  me  and  charged  the 
Enemy,  neither  after  I  was  gone  out  to 
them,  did  so  much  as  any  one  man  ever  offer 


SIENA 


253 


to  come  in  again  (as  Lussan's  Lieutenant, 
whom  I  had  left  at  the  Gate,  swore  to  me) 
excepting  Bassompierre's  two  Canoneers,  who 
were  sent  for  powder.  All  the  whole  City 
remain'd  in  arms  during  the  whole  time  of 
the  fight,  and  I  will  give  the  Siennois  this 
commendation,  with  truth  (as  God  is  true) 
that  there  was  no  so  much  as  any  one  man, 
who  staid  in  the  houses,  and  who  did  not 
take  arms,  both  young  and  old,  nor  a  man 
that  discovered  the  least  affection  to  the 
Emperor  ;  which  gave  me  a  great  assurance 
of  two  things,  one  of  their  Loyalty,  and  the 
other  of  their  Courage.  Three  dayes  after 
the  Marquis  sent  me  a  Trumpet  (the  same 
who  had  brought  me  the  Present  before) 
to  see  if  any  one  of  those  was  living  who 
had  entred  the  Cittadel,  and  that  he  would 
not  deny  to  me  but  that  there  were 
two  of  his  Kinsmen  ;  Signior  Cornelio  then 
carried  him  to  look  upon  that  who  was  yet 
alive,  and  he  prov'd  to  be  one  ;  whereupon 
the  Trumpet  immediately  returned  to  the 
Marquis  to  acquaint  him  with  it,  who 
at  the  same  instant  sent  him  back  again, 
entreating  me  to  restore  him  back  to 
him,  and  that  he  would  be  responsible  to 
me  for  his  ransome,  which  I  did  in  a  Litter 
he   had   sent  to  that  purpose  :  but  he  died 


2  54        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

three    dayes     after     he     came     into     their 
Camp. 

Methinks  you  Governors  of  places  ought 
here  to  take  a  fair  exemple  to  present  your 
selves  to  the  fight :  For  there  are  some  who 
say,  that  a  Governor  or  a  Lieutenant  of  a 
Province  never  ought  to  hazard  his  own 
person,  arguing  that  if  he  chance  to  miscarry 
all  is  lost.  I  grant  them  that  he  ought  not 
to  expose  himself  at  all  times,  and  upon 
every  light  occasion,  like  an  ordinary  Captain  ; 
but  when  all  lies  at  stake,  what  is  it  that 
you  are  made  Governors  and  Lieutenants 
for  ?  what  question  will  be  made  of  your 
courage  .''  and  how  will  your  honor  and 
reputation  be  brought  into  dispute  ?  Will 
it,  think  you,  acquit  you  to  say,  I  would  not 
hazard  my  self  in  the  fight  lest  my  losing 
self  I  should  lose  all  ;  especially  in  the  night 
to  relieve  a  Fort  or  a  Cittadel,  considering  I 
was  however  able  to  defend  the  Town  ?  This 
excuse  will  not  serve  your  turn  ;  and  believe 
the  loss  of  a  Fort  is  of  so  great  importance 
that  your  Enemy  has  by  that  means  one 
foot  upon  your  throat  already,  you  are  there- 
fore to  die  or  to  recover  what  you  lost, 
as  I  did,  having  at  my  going  out  caused  the 
Wicket  to  be  shut,  to  take  from  us  all  hopes 
of  retreat,  being  resolv'd  to  die  or  to  expel 


SIENA  255 

the  Enemy,  and  also  letting  them  alone 
with  their  Conquest  I  had  been  infallibly 
lost. 

And  you  Captains  my  Camrades,  take 
notice  and  exemple  by  St  Auban,  that  you 
may  value  valiant  men  above  money,  for 
the  love  of  money  will  lead  you  to  the  loss 
of  your  lives  and  reputations,  and  valiant 
men  about  you  will  defend  both  one  and 
the  other,  and  preserve  you  from  danger 
and  dishonor.  Admire,  and  follow  as  near 
as  you  can  the  great  heart  of  Charry,  who 
although  half-dead,  would  yet  come  to  the 
fight,  and  presented  himself  to  enter  the 
first,  and  pass  by  a  Ladder  through  a  hole, 
then  which  a  more  dangerous  passage  could 
not  possibly  be ;  for  in  such  a  place  an 
Enemy  has  a  mighty  advantage.  No  danger 
nevertheless  could  deterre  this  brave  Soldier 
from  running  the  hazard.  To  conclude,  I 
shall  tell  you  Governors  of  places,  that 
whenever  you  entertain  an  ill  opinion  of  an 
Officer,  you  provide  against  his  remissness, 
cowardise,  or  infidelity,  as  I  did,  by  placing 
the  Companies  near  to  the  Forts.  But  I 
had  done  better,  St  Auban  being  suspected 
to  me,  since  I  could  not  totally  rid  my 
hands  of  him,  to  have  employ'd  him  in  some 
other  place.     It  has  since  taught  me  to  be 


256        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

wiser,  and  I  have  found  advantages  by  it, 
having  never  since  that  time  entrusted  any 
man  of  whom  I  had  a  mislike.  There 
are  wayes  enow  to  shake  them  off,  without 
either  offending  any  other  or  disincouraging 
the  party  himself. 

A  little  after,  as  we  understood,  there 
came  a  Gentleman  of  the  Emperor's  Bed- 
chamber, who  brought  letters  to  the  Duke 
of  Florence,  and  to  the  said  Marquis,  wherein 
he  writ  them  word  that  he  thought  it  very 
strange  this  War  should  continue  so  long, 
and  that  he  very  well  knew  Sienna  was  not 
a  place  to  resist  Canon,  but  that  it  was  the 
Marquis  his  custom  evermore  to  spin  out  a 
War  in  length.  In  answer  whereunto  the 
Marquis  remonstrated  that  he  had  done  all 
that  in  him  possibly  lay,  and  knew  very  well 
that  Artillery  could  not  take  the  Town,  for 
I  had  valiant  men  within,  and  the  whole 
City  was  resolute  to  stand  to  me  to  the  last, 
speaking  more  honourably  of  me  than  I 
deserv'd,  commending  my  vigilancy,  and 
the  provision  I  had  made  for  my  defence,  so 
that  he  very  well  knew  by  the  good  order  I 
had  taken  in  the  City  he  should  but  lose  so 
much  time  by  attempting  to  batter.  Not- 
withstanding the  Gentleman  being  come 
from  the  Emperor  to  this  effect,  and  having 


SIENA  257 

already  spoke  with  the  Duke  of  Florence, 
they  together  order'd  it  so  that  they  made 
the  Marquis  at  last  resolve  upon  a  Battery. 
He  had  before  omitted  nothing  that  a  good 
Soldier  ought  to  do,  having  coop't  us  close 
in,  without  any  hopes  of  relief,  and  yet  he 
was  accused  of  a  design  to  protract  the  War  : 
But  it  is  the  ordinary  reward  of  a  man's 
endeavour  when  things  do  not  succeed 
according  to  the  appetite  of  such  as  talk  of 
things  at  their  ease.  The  desires  of  those 
we  serve  and  fight  for  run  a  great  deal  faster 
than  we  are  able  to  follow. 

About  the  twentieth  of  January  we  had 
notice  that  the  Artillery  set  out  of  Florence, 
to  the  number  of  six  or  eight  and  twenty 
Canon  or  double  Culverine  to  come  to  the 
Camp.  The  Siennois  hearing  this  news 
were  so  curious  as  to  send  out  a  spy  that 
they  might  be  certain  of  the  truth  of  this 
report,  who  at  his  return  bringing  them  word 
back  that  the  Artillery  was  already  come  as 
far  as  Lusignano,  it  put  the  whole  City  into 
some  apprehension,  and  made  them  resolve 
the  next  day  to  assemble  all  the  Gentry  and 
the  chief  of  the  City  to  the  Palace,  there  to 
determine  amongst  themselves  whether  they 
should  abide  the  assault  or  surrender  upon 
composition.     Now  I  was  not  to  huffe  and 

R 


258        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

vapour  with  these  people,  for  they  were 
stronger  than  I  :  I  was  therefore  necessitated 
to  win  them  by  gentle  remonstrances,  and 
civil  perswasions,  without  the  least  heat  or 
shew  of  anger,  and  you  may  believe  it  was 
not  without  great  violence  to  my  own  nature 
that  I  proceeded  after  this  manner,  contrary 
to  my  disposition  and  the  image  the 
Constable  had  represented  of  me  to  the 
King,  as  he  had  seen  me  in  my  younger 
and  more  precipitous  age.  A  prudent  and 
staid  Governor  when  he  is  amongst  strange 
Nations  must  try  as  much  as  in  him  lies  to 
conform  himself  to  the  humour  of  the  people 
with  whom  he  has  to  do.  With  the  Germans 
and  Swiss  you  must  be  cholerick  and  rough  : 
with  the  Spaniards  you  must  observe  their 
starcht  face  and  formality,  and  pretend  to  be 
a  little  more  religious  and  devout  than  you 
perhaps  really  are  :  with  the  Italians  you 
must  be  discreet  and  circumspect,  neither  to 
offend  them  in  themselves,  nor  to  court  their 
wives  :  as  for  the  French  man  he  is  for  any 
thing  :  but  so  it  was  that  God  gave  me  the 
grace,  who  am  a  Gascon,  sudden,  cholerick, 
willful,  and  froward,  so  to  deport  my  self 
with  this  jealous  and  mistrustful  Nation  that 
not  so  much  as  one  Citizen  could  ever 
complain  of  me.     Now  as  all  the  Gentry  and 


SIENA  259 

the  Heads  of  the  Corporation  were  going  to 
the  Palace,  Misser  Hieronimo  Hispano,  a 
Gentleman  of  Sienna,  a  principal  man  in  the 
City,  and  one  of  the  eight  of  the  Council  of 
War,  before  he  went  to  the  Palace  came  in 
all  hast  to  speak  with  Signior  Cornelio,  where 
he  told  him  that  all  the  chief  of  the  City 
were  summon'd  to  repair  to  the  Palace,  and 
that  it  was  to  determine  whether  they  ought 
to  stand  out  a  Battery  or  to  enter  into 
Capitulation  with  the  Duke  of  Florence  and 
the  Marquis  of  Marignano,  and  that  he  had 
already  heard  that  the  major  part  of  them 
had  voted  that  they  ought  to  condition,  and 
not  to  endure  a  Battery  and  an  Assault,  for 
fear  they  should  come  by  the  worse  ;  that 
he  was  now  going  thither  to  them,  wherefore 
he  entreated  him  to  give  me  notice  of  it. 
Hereupon  Signior  Cornelio  came  to  me,  and 
found  me  ready  to  take  horse  to  go  view  the 
Guards  :  but  so  soon  as  he  had  told  me  the 
news  we  both  went  up  into  my  Chamber, 
where  we  long  debated  by  what  means  we 
might  divert  this  blow  ;  and  whilst  we  were 
in  this  deliberation  came  Signior  Bartolomeo 
Cavalcano,  who  told  me  as  much  as  I  had 
heard  before,  and  moreover  that  he  thought 
the  resolution  was  already  taken  throughout 
the  whole  City,  and  that  he  only  went  to  the 


26o        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Palace  to  cast  in  his  lot,  and  that  after  the 
lots  should  once  be  cast  it  would  be  too  late 
to  speak. 

We  were  all  three  in  a  very  great  straight, 
they  which  way  to  advise  me,  and  I  was  as 
much  to  seek  what  advice  to  take.  In  the 
end  I  resolv'd  to  go  to  the  Palace,  and  to 
take  with  me  the  Rhinecroc  and  his  Captains, 
Signior  Cornelio  with  his  Italians,  and 
Captain  Combas  with  the  French  officers. 
Our  Germans  began  to  suffer  much  for  want 
of  wine,  and  their  bread  was  very  small,  for 
as  for  flesh  there  was  no  more  talk  of  any, 
unless  of  some  horse  or  some  ass  that  was 
exposed  to  sell  in  the  Butchery,  and  as  for 
money  there  was  no  such  thing  in  nature  ; 
for  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  had  no  possible 
means  to  send  any  in  to  us  :  all  which  con- 
sider'd,  it  put  us  into  some  fear  lest  the 
Germans  should  joyn  with  the  City  to  enter 
into  composition,  which  was  the  reason  I 
desired  Signior  Cornelio  to  go  to  the 
Rhinecroc  and  entreat  him  from  me  to  bear 
me  company  to  the  Palace,  and  to  bring 
his  Captains  along  with  him,  and  that  he 
would  in  the  mean  time  leave  his  Lieutenants 
and  Ensigns  every  one  in  his  own  Quarters, 
to  the  end  there  might  be  no  surprize  about 
the  Walls  whilst  we  should  be  at  the  Palace  : 


SIENA  261 

I  wisht  him  also  himself  to  do  the  same,  and 
order'd  Captain  Combas  to  come  likewise, 
which  being  done,  1  sent  Bartolomeo  in  all 
haste  to  the  Palace,  to  try  if  he  could  secretly 
gain  any  one  to  his  party  that  might  help  to 
break  this  design  :  for  1  had  an  opinion  that 
if  I  could  but  divert  this  one  blow  I  would 
deal  with  so  many  people  afterwards  that 
the  blancks  should  be  the  greater  number  in 
the  Lottery,  and  so  they  all  went  out  of  my 
Chamber  without  being  further  acquainted  by 
me  what  I  intended  to  do. 

I  was  yet  so  extreamly  lean  and  worn 
with  my  late  sickness,  and  the  cold  was  at 
this  time  of  the  year  so  very  great  and 
sharp,  that  I  was  constrained  to  go  con- 
tinually with  both  my  Body  and  my  head  so 
wrapt  and  muffled  up  in  Furrs,  that  as  they 
saw  me  go  up  and  down  the  streets  of  the 
City,  no  one  had  any  hopes  of  my  recovery, 
believing  that  my  inwards  were  decayed  and 
perished,  and  that  I  would  fall  down  and  die 
on  a  sudden.  What  shall  we  do  said  the 
Ladies  and  the  Citizens  Wives,  what  will 
become  of  us  if  our  Governor  should  die  ? 
we  shall  all  be  lost  ;  for  next  after  God  all 
our  hope  is  in  him  :  it  is  not  possible  he 
should  escape.  I  do  verily  believe  that  the 
prayers  of  those  good  women  redeem'd  me 


262        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

out  of  the  extremity  and  languishing  weak- 
ness I  was  in,  I  mean  that  of  my  body  ;  for 
as  to  the  vigour  of  my  mind,  and  the  quick- 
ness of  my  understanding,  1  never  perceiv'd 
any  decay  there.  Having  then  before  been 
accustomed  to  go  so  wrapt  and  muffled,  and 
observing  what  moan  the  people  made  for 
me,  to  see  me  in  so  lamentable  a  plight,  I 
call'd  for  a  pair  of  Breeches  of  Crimson 
Velvet,  which  I  had  brought  from  Alba,  laid 
over  with  gold  lace,  finely  cut  and  very 
neat,  for  I  had  made  them  at  a  time  when  1 
was  forsooth  in  love.  We  had  there  leisure 
enough  for  those  follies  whilst  we  lay  in 
Garrison,  and  having  little  else  to  do,  it  was 
fit  to  give  the  Ladies  some  part  of  our  time. 
I  put  on  a  Doublet  of  the  same,  under  which 
I  had  a  Shirt  finely  wrought  with  Crimson 
silk  and  gold  twist  very  rich  :  (for  in  those 
dayes  they  wore  the  neck-bands  of  their 
Shirts  a  good  way  falling  over  the  collar)  I 
then  took  a  buffe  Collar,  over  which  I  put 
on  the  Gorget  of  my  Arms,  which  was  very 
finely  gilt.  I  at  that  time  wore  gray  and 
white,  in  honor  of  a  fair  Lady  to  whom  I  was 
a  Servant  when  I  had  leisure  ;  I  therefore  put 
on  a  Hat  of  gray  silk  of  the  German  fashion, 
with  a  great  silver  Hatband,  and  a  plume  of 
Heron's     feathers,    thick    set     with     silver 


SIENA  263 

spangles  ;  the  Hats  they  wore  in  those  dayes 
were  not  so  broad  as  they  wear  them  now  : 
I  then  put  on  a  short  Cassock  of  gray  Velvet 
garnisht  with  little  plaits  of  Silver  at  two 
fingers  distance  from  one  another,  and  lin'd 
with  cloth  of  silver  all  open  betwixt  the 
plaits,  which  I  wore  in  Piedmont  over  my 
Arms.  Now  I  had  yet  two  little  bottles  of 
Greek  wine  left  of  those  had  been  sent  me 
by  the  Cardinal  of  Armagnac,  with  which  1 
wet  my  hands,  and  with  them  rubbed  my 
face  till  I  had  brought  a  little  colour  into 
my  cheeks,  and  then  drank  a  small  draught 
with  a  little  bit  of  bread,  after  which  I  look't 
my  self  in  the  Glass.  I  swear  to  you  I  did 
not  know  my  self,  and  methought  I  was  yet 
in  Piedmont,  and  in  love  as  heretofore.  At 
which  I  could  not  forbear  laughing,  for  me- 
thought I  had  got  on  a  sudden  quite  another 
face. 

The  first  that  came  to  me  with  his 
Captains  was  Signior  Cornelio  and  the 
Count  de  Gayas,  Monsieur  de  Bassompierre 
and  the  Count  de  Bisque,  whom  I  had  also 
sent  for  ;  who  finding  me  dress'd  after  this 
manner,  all  fell  a  laughing.  I  strutted  up 
and  down  the  room  before  them  like  fifteen 
Spaniards,  and  yet  had  not  strength  enough 
to   kill   a   Chicken,  for    I    was   so    weak   as 


264        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

nothing  more.  Combas  and  the  French 
Captains  came  also,  and  the  whole  Farce 
tended  to  nothing  but  laughter  for  all  the 
company  :  the  last  that  came  was  the 
Rhinecroc  and  his  Captains,  who  seeing  me 
in  this  posture,  laught  to  that  excess  that  he 
sobb'd  again,  when  pulling  him  by  the  arm, 
I  said  to  him,  '  What  Colonel,  do  you  think 

*  me   to   be   that   Montluc   that   goes   every 

*  day  dying  through  the  streets  ?  No,  no, 
'  you  are  mistaken,  that  fellow's  dead,  and  I 

*  am    another    Montluc    sprung    up    in    his 

*  room.'  His  Interpreter  told  him  what 
I  said,  which  made  him  laugh  still  more, 
and  Signior  Cornelio  had  already  acquainted 
him  with  the  reason  why  I  had  sent  for  him, 
and  that  it  was  necessary  by  one  means  or 
another  to  dispossess  the  Siennois  of  their  fear. 
Thus  then  we  went  all  on  horseback  to  the 
Palace,  where  so  soon  as  we  were  got  up  to 
the  top  of  the  stairs,we  found  the  great  Hall 
full  of  Gentlemen,  and  such  other  Burgers 
of  the  City  as  were  of  the  Council.  Within 
the  great  Hall  on  the  left  hand  there  is  a 
lesser  room,  into  which  none  were  to  enter 
but  the  Captains  of  the  people,  the  twelve 
Counsellors,  and  the  Eight  of  the  Council  of 
War,  all  which  are  called  the  Magistracy, 
Thus   then   I   entred   into    the    great    Hall, 


SIENA  265 

where  I  put  off  my  Hat  to  them,  but  was 
known  by  no  body  at  first  ;  they  all  believing 
me  to  be  some  Gentleman  sent  by  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  into  the  City  to  command  at  the 
Assault,  by  reason  of  my  great  weakness. 
I  then  entred  into  the  little  Hall,  with  all 
the  Colonels  and  Captains  after  me,  who 
kept  at  distance  by  the  door  whilst  I  went 
and  sat  down  by  the  Captain  of  the  people, 
in  the  place  where  those  who  represented  the 
person  of  the  King  were  used  to  sit,  as  I 
my  self  upon  that  account  had  often  done. 
In  going  up  with  my  Hat  in  my  hand, 
I  smil'd  first  upon  one  and  then  upon 
another,  they  all  wondering  to  see  me,  and 
two  had  already  deliver'd  their  opinions 
when  I  began  to  speak  to  them  in  Italian  to 
this  effect. 

*  Gentlemen,  I  have  been  told  that  since 

*  the  time  you  have  been  certain  of  the 
'  truth  of  the  Enemies  bringing  up  Artillery 
'  to  your  Walls,  you  have  entred  into  some 
'  debates  which  have  rather  begot  amongst 
'  you  fear  and  astonishment  than  any  noble 
'  resolution  to  defend  your  City  and  Liberty 

*  by   Arms.     Which    I    have    thought    very 

*  strange,  and  greatly  wondred  at,  not  being 
'  able  to   perswade   my   self  to   believe   any 

*  such  thing.     However  in  the  end  I  resolv'd 


266        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

with  the  Colonels  and  Captains  of  all  the 
three  Nations  the  King  my  Master  has 
in  this  City,  to  come  to  you  in  this  place, 
and  to  understand  from  your  own  mouths 
the  truth  of  all  that  has  passed.  Now  I 
besiech  you  Gentlemen,  weigh  and  consider 
well  what  you  shall  determine  in  this 
Council  to  which  you  are  call'd  ;  for  upon 
this  Council,  and  the  resolution  that  shall 
be  the  issue  of  it,  depends  all  your  honor, 
greatness,  authority,  and  the  security  of 
your  State,  your  lives  and  honors,  and  the 
conservation  of  your  ancient  liberty  ;  and 
on  the  contrary,  all  the  shame,  dishonor, 
and  reproach,  with  a  perpetual  infamy  to 
your  posterity,  and  dishonor  to  your  famous 
Ancestors,  who  have  left  you  for  inheritance 
the  Grandeur  you  now  possess  and  uphold, 
having  themselves  ever  defended  and 
maintain'd  it  by  Battels,  with  their  weapons 
in  their  hands,  against  all  those  who  have 
attempted  to  take  it  from  them.  And 
now  when  you  ought  to  have  purchast 
the  occasion  that  presents  it  self  at 
the  price  of  half  your  wealth,  that  therein 
you  might  to  all  Christendom  mani- 
fest and  approve  your  selves  the  true 
legitimate  sons  of  those  Ancient  Warlike 
Romans,    and    of  those    Noble    Ancestors 


SIENA  267 

who  have  so  often  and  so  bravely  fought 
to  assert  and  maintain  your  liberty,  is  it 
possible  that  so  great  and  so  generous 
hearts  as  those  of  the  Siennois  should  enter 
into  astonishment  for  hearing  talk  of  Canon  ? 
will  you  be  afraid  for  this  ?  I  cannot  think 
that  this  proceeds  from  you,  who  have 
given  so  many,  and  so  ample  testimonies  of 
your  valour  ;  neither  is  it  out  of  any 
want  of  friendship  to  the  most  Christian 
King,  nor  out  of  any  distrust  you  have  in 
him,  that  he  will  not  certainly  relieve  you, 
neither  can  it  be  out  of  any  diffidence  you 
have  in  one  another,  by  reason  of  any  fac- 
tions in  your  City,  for  I  have  never 
observ'd  the  least  division  among  you  : 
But  on  the  contrary,  the  greatest  unanimity 
for  the  conservation  of  your  liberty  and 
Republick.  I  have  ever  seen  you  resolute 
to  dye  with  your  swords  in  your  hands, 
rather  than  suffer  it  to  be  ravish'd  from 
you.  I  have  ever  seen  all  men  of  all  con- 
ditions move  with  the  same  motion  and 
inspir'd  with  the  same  resolution.  Neither 
can  it  be  for  want  of  courage,  for  I  never 
saw  you  sally  out  to  skirmish  that  some  of 
your  young  men  did  not  evermore  signalize 
themselves  above  our  people,  though  much 
older  Soldiers  than  they,  who  in  a  longer 


268        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

practice  of  Arms  have  perform 'd  acts 
worthy  to  be  prais'd  and  esteem'd  of  all. 
I  cannot  then  believe  that  men  who  do  so 
well,  should  for  the  noise  of  Canon,  which 
brings  more  terror  than  harm,  enter  into 
astonishment  and  resolve  to  surrender 
themselves  slaves  to  that  insolent  and 
insupportable  Nation  of  the  Spaniards  ;  or 
your  neighbours,  your  ancient  and  professed 
enemies.  Since  then  this  apprehension 
cannot  proceed  from  any  defect  in  your 
selves,  it  must  of  necessity  proceed  from 
me,  who  have  the  honour  to  be  Lieutenant 
for  the  King  of  France,  your  good  Friend 
and  Protector.  If  as  to  what  concerns  me, 
you  apprehend  that  I  shall  want  health  and 
vigour  to  undergo  that  toil  and  labour  that 
will  be  necessary  and  requir'd  at  the  time 
when  the  Enemy  shall  assault  us,  by  reason 
of  the  weakness  wherein  I  now  am  through 
my  great  sickness  ;  that  consideration  ought 
not  to  beget  in  you  the  least  distrust  ;  arms 
and  legs  do  not  do  all  :  The  great  Captain 
Antonio  de  Leva,  gouty  and  impotent  as 
he  was,  has  won  more  victories  in  his  chair 
than  any  other  of  our  Age  has  done  on 
horseback.  God  has  ever  been  pleas'd  to 
preserve  my  judgement  to  preserve  you. 
Have   you   ever  known  me  fail  ?     Was  I 


SIENA  269 

then  stretch'd  at  ease  in  bed  when  the 
Enemy  gave  you  the  great  Camisado,  and 
Scalado  ?  Do  but  mark  I  beseech  you, 
Gentlemen,  the  great  grace  God  was  pleas'd 
to  shew  me  on  a  sudden,  supplying  me 
with  as  much  strength  as  I  had  never 
been  sick  ;  by  which  you  may  perceive  that 
Almighty  God  loves  us,  and  that  he  will 
not  that  either  you  or  we  perish.  I 
feel  myself  strong  enough  to  wear  my  Arms, 
you  shall  no  more  see  me  swath'd  and 
furr'd  up  as  before.  If  perhaps  you  do  it 
out  of  my  incapacity,  or  little  experience, 
you  do  therein  a  great  wrong  to  the  King, 
that  being  as  much  as  to  give  all  the  world 
to  understand  that  His  Majesty  has  hither 
sent  you  a  man  void  of  all  ability  and  poorly 
experimented  to  know  how  to  order  what 
should  be  done  for  the  defence  of  your  City  ? 
What .''  do  you  believe  the  King  has  so  little 
kindness  for  you,  as  to  send  me  hither,  had 
he  not  had  a  great  confidence  in  my  capacity, 
and  beforehand  made  sufficient  tryal  else- 
where both  what  I  am  and  what  I  can  do  .'' 
I  shall  tell  you  nothing  of  myself,  it  would 
not  become  me  to  be  my  own  Trumpet, 
something  you  have  seen  your  selves,  and 
the  rest  you  may  have  heard  from  others. 
You  may  then  well  judge  that  the  King  has 


270        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

not  singled  out  me  amongst  so  many  Gentle- 
men of  his  kingdom,  and  has  not  sent  me 
to  you,  without  having  well  weigh'd  what  I 
am  able  to  do  by  the  long  experience  he  has 
had,  not  only  of  my  Politicks  in  point  of 
Government,  of  which  you  may  hitherto 
have  taken  some  notice  :  But  moreover, 
of  my  conduct  in  matter  of  Arms,  when 
an  Enemy  would  carry  a  place  by  fine  force. 
Do  you  fear.  Gentlemen,  my  courage  will 
fail  me  in  time  of  need  ?  what  then  do  all 
those  testimonies  I  have  given  you  since  my 
coming  hither  being  sick  avail  ?  You  have 
seen  me  sally  out  from  the  time  I  have  been 
able  to  mount  to  horse,  to  go  to  see  the 
skirmishes  so  near  that  my  self  commanded 
them.  And  have  you  altogether  forgot  the 
day,  that  I  entred  into  this  City,  and  the 
great  skirmish  I  then  made  ?  Your  people 
saw  it  and  had  a  share  in  the  fight ;  and 
upon  Christmas  Eve  yet  a  greater,  where 
the  fight  lasted  for  six  long  hours  together  ? 
Did  1  not  then  fight  in  my  own  person  ? 
Did  you  not  then  see  that  I  neither  wanted 
judgment  to  command  nor  valour  to  fight  ? 
I  am  ashamed  to  say  so  much  of  my  self ; 
but  seeing  you  all  know  it  to  be  true  I  need 
not  blush  to  speak  it.  1  will  tell  you  nothing 
but  what  your  selves  have  seen.     I  am  no 


SIENA  271 

*  bragging  Spaniard,  I  am  a  Frenchman,  and 

*  moreover  a  Gascon,  the  most  frank  and 
'  plain    dealing    of  all    that    Nation.     Now, 

*  methinks,  Gentlemen,  you  have  so    much 

*  experience    of  your   selves   as   will    render 

*  you  worthy  of  a  perpetual  reproach,  should 

*  you  go  less  in  your  resolution,  besides  the 
'  ruine  it  would  infallibly  bring  upon  you. 
'  Methinks  you  ought  to  know  me  sufficiently, 
'  having  been  so  long  amongst  you,  and  that 

*  I  have  omitted  nothing  of  what  the  King 

*  propos'd  to  himself  I  should  perform  for 

*  his  service  and  yours  in  the  greatest  neces- 
*sity    and    danger.       All    this    that    I    have 

*  remonstrated  to  you,  as  well  for  what  con- 
'  cerns  your  own  particular,  as  what  relates  to 

*  my  self,  ought  to  make  you  lay  aside  all 

*  apprehension,   and  to  assume   the  courage 

*  and    magnanimity  that    your    Predecessors 

*  and  selves  who   are  now  living  have  ever 

*  had.     Wherefore,  I  beseech  you  that  you 

*  will  unanimously  take  up  such  a  resolution 

*  as  valiant  men   such  as  you  are  ought  to 

*  take,  that  is  to  dye  with  your  weapons  in 

*  your    hands    rather    than    to     loose    your 

*  Sovereignty  and   the  liberty   you    have   so 

*  long  exercis'd  and  enjoy 'd.     And  for  what 

*  concerns     me     and     these     Colonels     and 

*  Captains  whom    you  see   present  here,  we 


272        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

*  swear  in  the  presence  of  God  that  we  will 

*  dye  with  you,  as  at  this  instant  we  will  give 

*  assurance.     It  is  not  for  our  benefit,  nor  to 

*  acquire  Riches,  neither  is  it  for  our  ease, 

*  for  you  see  we  suffer  both  thirst  and  hunger  : 
'  it  is  only  in  pursuance  of  our  duty,  and  to 
'  acquit  our  selves  of  our  Oath,  to  the  end 
'  that  it  may  one  day  be  said,  and  by  you, 
'  that  it  was  we  who  defended  the  liberty  of 
'  this  City,  and  that  we  may  be  called  Con- 
'servators  of  the  Liberty  of  Sienna.' 

I  then  rose  up,  bidding  the  German 
Interpreter  to  remember  well  all  I  had  said, 
to  repeat  it  to  the  Rhinecroc  and  his 
Captains,  and  then  directed  my  speech  to 
the  Colonels,  and  said  to  them  '  Signori  mi  (2f 
'  fratelli  juriamo  tutti  (2f  promettiamo  inanzi 

*  Iddio,   che    noi    moriremo   tutti   I'arme   in 

*  mano  conessi  loro,  per  adjutar  li  a  deffendere 

*  lor  sicuressa  <2f  liberta  :  (2f  ogni  uno  di  noi 
'  s'obligi  per  lei  soi  Soldati,  (5f  alsate  tutt 
Me  vostre  mani.'  Which  being  said,  every 
one  held  up  his  hand,  and  the  Interpreter 
told  it  to  the  Rhmecroc,  who  also  held  up 
his  hand,  and  all  the  Captains  crying  *  lo,  io 

*  huerlie,'  and  the  other  '  Ouy,  ouy,'  we 
promise  to  do  it,  every  one  in  his  own 
Language.  Whereupon  the  Captain  of  the 
people  arose,  and  all  the  Council,  returning 


SIENA 


273 


me  infinite  thanks  ;  and  then  turn'd  towards 
the  Captains,  whom  he  also  very  much 
thank'd,  and  with  great  chearfulness.  They 
then  entreated  me  that  1  would  retire  to 
my  Lodgings  till  such  time  as  they  had 
spoken  with  all  the  Council  who  were  in 
the  great  Hall  without,  and  given  them  an 
account  of  what  I  had  remonstrated  to  them  ; 
which  I  accordingly  did,  and  at  my  going 
out  of  the  little  room,  I  there  met  with 
Misser  Bartolomeo  Cavalcano,  who  knew 
nothing  of  the  Proposition  I  had  made  (for 
he  entred  not  into  the  Council  chamber) 
who  told  me  in  my  ear  that  he  thought 
they  had  all  taken  a  resolution  not  to  endure 
a  Battery.  I  then  carried  him  back  with 
me  to  my  Lodgings,  and  three  hours 
after,  came  four  of  the  Magistracy,  of 
which  Misser  Hieronimo  Espano  was  one, 
having  in  charge  from  all  the  Signeury  in 
general  to  return  me  infinite  thanks ;  and 
he  told  me  that  Misser  Ambrosia  Mitti  had 
made  a  speech  in  the  accustomed  chair, 
which  is  in  the  middle  of  the  great  Hall, 
against  the  wall,  giving  them  to  understand 
what  a  Remonstrance  I  had  made  to  them, 
wherein  he  forgot  nothing  (for  he  was  a 
man  of  great  Eloquence  and  Wisdom)  and 
the  Oath  that  all  the  Colonels  and  Captains 
s 


274        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

had  taken,  finally  exhorting  them  to  resolve 
all  to  fight.  I  do  not  remember  whether  they 
put  it  to  the  Balotte,  or  if  they  held  up 
their  hands  as  we  had  done  :  But  they  all 
four  assur'd  us  that  they  had  never  seen 
a  greater  joy  then  what  generally  appear'd 
amongst  them,  after  the  Proposition  of  the 
said  Ambrosia  Mitti.  Telling  me,  moreover, 
that  after  I  had  been  in  the  said  Hall  and 
made  an  end  of  the  forementioned  Harangue, 
the  two  Gentlemen  who  had  deliver'd  their 
opinions  before,  that  they  ought  to  capitulate 
and  come  to  a  composition  with  the  Enemy, 
had  requested  the  Senate  to  do  them  that 
favour  as  to  conceal  what  they  had  said  and 
take  no  notice  of  it,  but  give  them  leave  to 
vote  anew  ;  which  being  accordingly  done, 
they  again  deliver'd  their  opinions  that  they 
ought  to  fight,  and  enter  into  no  kind  of 
composition,  but  rather  dye  with  their  Arms 
in  their  hands.  I  then  told  Misser  Hieronimo 
Espano,  that  I  would  retire  myself  for  all 
that  day  and  for  all  that  night  to  write 
down  the  order  of  the  fight  ;  which  having 
done,  I  would  immediately  send  it  to  the 
Germans  in  their  Language,  and  to  the 
French  in  theirs. 

Governors  and  Captains,  you  ought  to  take 
some  example  here,  forasmuch  as  there  are 


SIENA  275 

some  who  say  they  have  surrendered  a  place 
that  the  Soldiers  would  not  defend,  and 
moreover,  that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
went  about  to  betray  them,  and  by  that 
means  compell'd  them  to  Capitulate.  These 
are  mere  excuses,  believe  me  they  are  mere 
excuses.  The  thing  that  compels  you  is 
your  own  want  of  experience.  Gentlemen 
and  Camrades,  when  ever  you  shall  happen 
to  be  at  such  a  Wedding,  put  on  your  best 
Clothes,  make  your  selves  as  fine  as  you  can, 
wash  your  faces  with  Greek  wine,  and  rub  a 
good  colour  into  your  cheeks,  and  so  march 
bravely  thorough  the  streets  and  amongst  the 
Soldiers  wit  h  your  faces  erect,  having  nothing 
in  your  mouths,  but  that  very  soon,  by  God's 
help  and  the  strength  of  your  own  Arms, 
you  will  in  despite  of  them  have  the  lives  of 
your  enemies,  and  not  they  yours  ;  that  it  is 
not  for  them  to  come  to  attaque  you  in  your 
own  Fort  ;  that  it  is  the  only  thing  you  desire, 
forasmuch  as  upon  that  depends  their  ruine, 
and  your  deliverance.  And  by  carrying  your 
selves  after  that  manner,  the  very  women 
will  take  courage,  and  much  more  the 
Souldiers  :  But  if  you  sneak  up  and  down 
with  a  pale  face,  speaking  to  no  body,  sad, 
mellanchollick  and  pensive,  though  all  the 
City  and  all  the  Soldiers  had  the  hearts  of 


276        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Lyons,  you  will  make  them  as  timerous  as 
sheep.  Speak  often  to  those  of  the  City  in 
four  or  five  words,  and  likewise  to  the  Soldiers 
saying  to  them,  Well  friends,  are  you  not  in 
heart  ?  I  look  upon  the  victory  as  our  own,  and 
hold  the  death  of  our  Enemies  already  for 
certain  :  For  I  have  I  know  not  what 
Prophetick  spirit,  which  whenever  it  comes 
upon  me,  I  am  always  certain  to  overcome, 
which  I  have  from  God  and  not  from  men. 
Wherefore  rely  upon  me,  and  resolve  all  of 
you  to  fight,  and  to  go  out  of  this  place  with 
honor  and  reputation.  You  can  dye  but  once, 
and  'tis  a  thing  that  is  predestin'd,  if  God  has 
appointed  it  so,  it  is  in  vain  for  you  to  fly. 
Let  us  then  dye  honorably  ;  but  there  is  no 
appearance  of  danger  for  us,  but  rather  for 
our  Enemies,  over  whom  we  have  the  greatest 
advantage  imaginable.  And  who  Governors 
and  Captains,  would  you  have  dare  to  say  he 
is  afraid,  seeing  you  so  bravely  resolv'd  .'' 
Let  me  tell  you  that  though  they  trembled 
before,  they  will  lay  aside  their  fear,  and  the 
most  cowardly  will  become  as  bold  as  the  most 
couragious  of  the  Company.  The  Soldier  is 
never  astonish'd  so  long  as  he  sees  the  con- 
fidence of  his  Chief  continue  firm  and  un- 
shaken. As  the  Chief  therefore  carries  away 
all  the  honor,  and  the  rest  have  nothing  but 


SIENA  277 

what  he  shall  give  them  in  his  report  of 
their  valour  to  the  Prince  ;  so  ought  he  to 
resolve  never  to  discover  the  least  shadow  of 
fear  :  For  behaving  himself  after  that  fearless 
manner,  the  Soldiers  themselves  will  be  suffi- 
cient testimonie  for  him,  so  that  the  reputa- 
tion he  shall  have  acquir'd  shall  remain 
indisputably  his  own,  without  any  one  being 
able  to  contradict  it.  I  do  not  then  advise 
you  anything  I  have  not  first  tryed  my  self, 
not  only  here  but  in  many  other  places  also  ; 
as  you  will  find  in  this  Book  if  you  have  the 
patience  to  read  it.  Now  this  is  the  order  I 
set  down  for  the  fight,  and  for  all  the  whole 
City,  all  which  particularities  I  represent  to 
you,  without  contenting  myself  to  say  that 
Sienna  was  besieg'd,  where  I  nine  or  ten 
months  sustain'd  the  Seige,  and  was  at  last 
constrain'd  to  Capitulate  by  Famine  ;  for  of 
such  a  General  account  as  that,  a  Kings 
Lieutenant,  a  Captain,  or  a  Soldier,  can  make 
no  benefit.  This  is  the  Historians  way,  and 
of  these  kind  of  Writers  there  are  but  too 
many  :  I  write  of  myself,  and  will  instruct 
others  that  come  after  me  ;  for  to  be  born 
for  a  mans  self  only  is  in  plain  English  to  be 
born  a  Beast. 

I  then  order'd  in  the  first  place  that  the 
City  should  be  divided  into  eight  parts,  of 


278        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

which  the  eight  of  the  Council  of  War  should 
have  every  one  a  part  ;  that  every  one  of 
the  Council  of  Eight  should  appoint  a  person 
for  whom  he  should  himself  be  responsible 
to  take  a  List  of  the  Quarter  should  be 
assign'd  him,  how  many  men,  women  and 
children  there  were  in  that  division,  from 
twelve  the  males  to  sixty,  and  the  females  to 
fifty  years  of  age,  which  were  to  carry  Baskets, 
Barrels,  Shovels,  Picks,  and  Mattocks, 
and  that  each  one  of  his  own  Quarter 
should  make  Captains  of  every  Trade, 
without  mixing  them  together  :  that  every 
one  should  be  commanded  upon  pain  of 
death  so  soon  as  ever  their  Captain  should 
send  for  them  to  come  to  the  place  appointed, 
immediately  to  haste  away,  as  also  the  women 
and  children  ;  that  every  one  should  forthwith 
make  provision  of  such  things  as  were  proper 
for  his  or  her  employment,  and  that  the 
Masters  of  Men-servants  and  Maids,  or 
their  Mistresses,  should  be  obliged  speedily  to 
take  order  that  their  Men  and  Maids  be 
furnisht  with  tools  and  utensils  wherewith  to 
labour  at  the  work  for  which  they  shall  be 
apT^ointed,  upon  pain  of  two  hundred  Crowns, 
and  the  City  to  furnish  the  poor  who  have 
not  wherewith  to  buy  them,  at  the  expense  of 
the  publick  Treasure  :  that  the  said  Deputies 


SIENA  279 

shall  make  their  Catalogues,  and  shall  go 
from  house  to  house  to  Register  their  people  ; 
and  that  so  soon  as  the  Captains,  every  one 
in  his  own  Quarter,  should  cry  out  Force, 
Force,  every  one  both  men  and  women  should 
run  to  their  tools,  and  present  themselves  at 
the  place  to  which  the  Captain  should  lead 
or  appoint  them  to  come  ;  and  that  the 
Deputies  should  deliver  in  the  Lists  ot  all, 
both  men  and  women,  they  shall  have  found 
in  their  respective  Precincts  to  each  of  the 
Eight  of  the  Council  of  War,  Quarter  for 
Quarter  ;  that  the  old  men  and  women  above 
the  forementioned  Ages  shall  remain  in  their 
Masters  houses,  to  get  meat  and  to  look  to 
the  house.  That  the  said  Deputies  should 
take  a  List  of  all  the  Masons  and  Carpenters 
who  should  be  found  in  their  Quarter,  which 
List  they  should  also  deliver  to  him  of  the 
Eight  of  the  Council  of  War  by  whom  they 
shall  be  deputed.  And  this  was  the  order 
for  the  Laborers  and  Pioneers. 

The  order  for  those  who  bore  arms  was 
that  the  three  Standard  bearers,  namely  of 
St  Martin,  of  Ciotat,  and  of  Camoglia,  should 
forthwith  take  a  view  of  all  the  Companies, 
which  were  four  and  twenty,  and  examine 
every  mans  arms  if  they  were  in  good  order 
for  fight,  and  if  not  to  make  tliem  presently 


28o        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

to  be  repaired  :  that  they  should  refine  all 
the  Powder,  and  cause  great  store  of  Bullet 
and  Match  to  be  made  :  that  the  three 
Standard-bearers  should  every  one  keep  in 
his  own  Quarter  without  stirring  thence  till 
one  of  the  Eight  of  War  should  come  to 
give  them  order  what  to  do  ;  that  the 
antient  Gentlemen  who  were  not  able  to 
bear  arms  nor  to  work  should  present 
themselves  to  sollicit  the  Pioneers  of  that 
Quarter  where  their  houses  stood,  and  to 
assist  the  Captains  of  the  said  Pioneers.  Now 
I  had  ever  determin'd  that  if  ever  the 
Enemy  should  come  to  assault  us  with 
Artillery,  to  entrench  my  self  at  a  good 
distance  from  the  Wall,  where  the  Battery 
should  be  made,  to  let  them  enter  at  pleasure, 
and  made  account  to  shut  up  the  two  ends  of 
the  Trench,  and  at  either  end  to  plant  four 
or  five  pieces  of  great  Canon,  loaden  with 
great  chains,  nails,  and  pieces  of  iron. 
Behind  the  Retirade  I  intended  to  place  the 
Muskets,  together  with  the  Harquebuzeers, 
and  so  soon  as  they  should  be  entred  in,  to 
cause  the  Artillery  and  small  shot  to  fire  all 
at  once,  and  we  at  the  two  ends  then  to  run 
in  upon  them  with  Pikes  and  Halberts,  two 
handed  Swords,  short  Swords,  and  Targets. 
This  I  resolved  upon,  as  seeing  it  altogether 


SIENA  281 

impossible  for  the  King  to  send  us  relief,  by- 
reason  that  he  was  engaged  in  so  many  places 
that  it  would  not  be  possible  for  him  to  set 
on  foot  Forces  sufficient  to  raise  the  Siege, 
neither  by  sea  nor  by  land  ;  and  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  had  no  means  to  relieve  us, 
wherefore  I  would  permit  them  to  enter,  and 
make  little  defence  at  the  Breach,  to  the  end 
that  I  might  give  them  Battail  in  the  Town, 
after  they  had  past  the  fury  of  our  Canon 
and  smaller  shot  :  For  to  have  defended  the 
Breach  had  in  my  opinion  been  a  very  easie 
matter  ;  but  then  we  could  not  have  done 
the  Enemy  so  much  mischief  as  by  letting 
them  enter  the  breach,  which  we  would  have 
pretended  to  quit,  onely  to  draw  them  on  to 
the  fight. 

For  five  or  six  dayes  before  the  Artillery 
came  I  every  night  sent  out  two  Peasants 
and  a  Captain  or  a  Sergeant,  as  Centinels 
perdues,  which  is  a  very  good  thing  and  of 
great  safety  ;  but  take  heed  whom  you  send, 
for  he  may  do  you  a  very  ill  turn.  So  soon 
as  the  night  came  the  Captain  set  a  Peasant 
Centinel  at  some  fifty  or  sixty  paces  distant 
from  the  Wall,  and  either  in  a  ditch  or 
behind  a  hedge,  with  instructions  that  so 
soon  as  he  should  hear  anything  he  should 
come    back    to    the    Captain    at    the    foot 


2  82        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

of  the  Wall,  which  Captain  had  in  charge 
from  me  that  immediately  upon  the  Peasant's 
speaking  to  him  they  should  clap  down  upon 
all  four,  and  so  creep  the  one  after  the  other 
to  the  place  where  the  Peasant  had  heard  the 
noise,  or  rather  fall  down  upon  their  bellies 
close  to  the  earth,  to  discover  if  there  were 
not  three  or  four  who  came  to  view  that  place, 
and  to  observe  if  they  did  not  lay  their  heads 
together  to  confer  ;  for  this  is  a  certain  sign 
that  they  came  to  view  that  place  in  order  to 
the  bringing  up  of  Artillery.  To  do  which 
as  it  ought  to  be  done,  they  ought  to  be  no 
other  than  the  Master  of  the  Ordnance,  the 
Colonel  or  the  Camp-Master  of  the  Infantry, 
or  the  Engineer,  the  Master  Carter,  and  a 
Captain  of  Pioneers,  to  the  end  that  according 
to  what  shall  be  resolved  upon  by  the 
Master  of  the  Ordnance,  the  Colonel,  and 
Canoneer,  the  Master  Carter  may  also 
take  notice  which  way  he  may  bring  up 
Artillery  to  the  place  ;  and  the  Canoneer 
ought  to  shew  the  Captain  of  the  Pioneers 
what  is  to  be  done  for  the  Esplanade,  or 
plaining  of  the  way,  according  to  the 
determination  of  the  rest.  And  this  is  the 
discovery  that  is  to  be  made  by  night 
after  you  have  discover'd  a  little  at  distance 
by  day  ;  for  if  those  within  be  an  Enemy  of 


SIENA  283 

any  spirit,  they  ought  either  by  skirmishes 
or  by  their  Canon  to  keep  you  from  coming 
to  discover  at  hand.  The  Captain  had  order 
to  come  give  me  a  present  account  of  what 
he  and  the  Peasants  had  heard  or  seen,  and 
to  leave  the  Peasants  still  upon  their  perdue, 
and  a  Soldier  in  his  own  place  till  his  return. 
Three  times  the  Enemy  was  discover'd  after 
this  manner,  and  immediately  upon  the 
notice,  having  also  the  List  of  the  Eight 
Quarters,  and  of  the  Eight  of  War  who 
commanded  those  Quarters,  I  suddenly 
acquainted  Signior  Cornelio,  who  could 
presently  tell  me  both  the  Quarter  against 
which  it  was,  and  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Eight  of  War  that  commanded  it.  I  had 
never  discover'd  my  intention  to  any  one, 
but  to  Signior  Cornelio  onely,  who  was  a  man 
of  great  wisdom  and  valour,  and  in  whom  I 
reposed  a  very  great  confidence  ;  who,  so 
soon  as  he  knew  that  I  meant  to  give  them 
Battail  in  the  City,  we  did  nothing  of  one 
whole  day  but  walk  the  round  both  within 
and  without,  taking  very  good  observation  of 
all  the  places  where  the  Enemy  could  make 
a  Battery,  and  consequently  by  that  knew 
where  to  make  our  Retirade.  And  so  soon 
as  ever  notice  was  given  me  by  the  Captain 
who    stood    Centinel    without    the    City,     I 


284        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

presently  advertized  the  Commander  of  that 
Quarter,  and  he  his  Deputy,  and  his  Deputy 
the  Captain  of  the  Pioneers,  so  that  in  an 
hours  time  you  might  have  seen  at  least  a 
thousand,  or  twelve  hundred  persons 
beginning  the  Retirade.  Now  I  had  order'd 
the  City  to  make  great  provision  of  Torches, 
so  that  those  who  had  discover'd  were  hardly 
return'd  to  the  Marquis,  but  that  they  saw 
all  that  part  within  the  Town  cover'd  with 
torches  and  people,  insomuch  that  by  break 
of  day  we  had  very  much  advanc't  our 
Trench,  and  in  the  morning  sent  back  those 
to  rest,  calling  in  another  Quarter  to  the 
work  till  noon,  and  another  from  noon  till 
night,  and  consequently  others  till  midnight, 
and  so  till  break  of  day,  by  which  means  in 
a  little  time  we  performed  so  great  a  work, 
that  we  could  by  no  means  be  surpriz'd. 
After  this  manner  I  still  turn'd  the  defences 
of  the  Town  towards  the  Marquis  his 
attempts,  who  lodg'd  at  the  house  of  Guillet 
the  Dreamer,*  and  Signior  Fernando  de  Sylva, 
brother  to  Signior  Rigomez  (who  commanded 
on  that  side  towards  the  Observance,  with 
whom  I  had  some  discourse  upon  the  publick 

*  A  phrase  signifying  that  a  man  is  nonplust,  and 
knows  not  what  to  do,  which  is  properly  to  lie  at  the 
house  of  Guillet  the  Dreamer. 


SIENA  285 

faith,  the  Friday  before  we  departed  out  of 
the  City,  betwixt  their  Quarters  and  the  Fort 
Camoglia)  told  me  that  the  Marquis  had  some 
jealousie  that  some  one  of  their  Council 
betray'd  to  me  all  their  deliberations,  seeing 
he  had  no  sooner  design'd  to  batter  any  part, 
but  that  we  alwayes  fortified  against  that 
place  ;  for  by  night  the  least  noise  is  easily 
heard,  and  so  great  a  bustle  cannot  be 
concealed  ;  and  because  he  told  me  that  he 
had  compiled  a  Book  of  the  particularities  of 
the  Siege  of  Sienna,  he  entreated  me  to  tell 
him  by  what  means  I  so  continually  dis- 
cover'd  their  intentions,  whereupon  I  told 
him  the  truth. 

But  to  return  to  our  subject,  the  Marquis 
in  the  end  came  and  planted  his  Artillery 
upon  a  little  hill  betwixt  Port  Oville  and  the 
great  Observance.  The  choice  of  this  place 
put  me,  who  thought  my  self  so  cunning, 
almost  to  a  nonplus,  forasmuch  as  at  Port 
Oville  there  is  a  very  spatious  Antiport, 
where  the  houses  of  the  City  do  almost 
touch,  having  nothing  but  the  street  between, 
time  to  make  the  necessary  Retirade,  to  do 
which  I  must  be  constrain'd  to  beat  down 
above  an  hundred  houses,  which  extremely 
troubled  me  ;  for  it  is  to  create  so  many 
enemies  in  our  entrals,  the  poor  Citizen  losing 


286        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

all  patience  to  see  his  house  pulled  down 
before  his  eyes.  I  gave  to  the  Count  de 
Bisque  the  charge  of  terrassing  up  this  Gate, 
for  which  use  we  took  the  earth  out  of  the 
Gardens,  and  vacant  places  that  lie  a  little  on 
the  left  hand.  O  the  rare  exemple  that  is 
here,  which  I  will  commit  to  writing  that  it 
may  serve  for  a  mirror  to  all  those  who 
would  conserve  their  liberty. 

All  these  poor  Inhabitants,  without  dis- 
covering the  least  distaste  or  sorrow  for  the 
ruine  of  their  houses,  put  themselves  their 
own  hands  first  to  the  work,  every  one  con- 
tending who  should  be  most  ready  to  pull 
down  his  own.  There  was  never  less  than 
four  thousand  souls  at  labour,  and  I  was 
shewed  by  the  Gentleman  of  Sienna  a  great 
number  of  Gentlewomen  carrying  of  Baskets 
of  earth  upon  their  heads.  It  shall  never  be 
(you  Ladies  of  Sienna)  that  I  will  not  im- 
mortalize your  names  so  long  as  the  Book 
of  Montluc  shall  live  ;  for  in  truth  you  are 
worthy  of  immortal  praise  if  ever  women 
were.  At  the  beginning  of  the  noble  resolu- 
tion these  people  took  to  defend  their  liberty, 
all  the  Ladies  of  Sienna  divided  themselves 
into  three  Squadrons  ;  the  first  led  by 
Signiora  Fortaguerra,  who  was  her  self  clad 
in  violet,  as  also  all  those  of  her  Train,  her 


SIENA  287 

attire  being  cut  in  the  fashion  of  a  Nymph, 
short,  and  discovering  her  Buskins  ;  the 
second  was  la  Signiora  Picolhuomini  attir'd 
in  carnatian  Sattin,  and  her  Troop  in  the 
same  Livery  ;  the  third  was  la  Signiora  Livia 
Fausta,  apparelled  all  in  white,  as  also  her 
Train,  with  her  white  Ensign,  In  their 
Ensigns  they  had  very  fine  devices,  which  I 
would  give  a  good  deal  I  could  remember. 
These  three  Squadrons  consisted  of  three 
thousand  Ladies,  Gentlewomen,  and  Citizens, 
their  arms  were  Picks,  Shovels,  Baskets,  and 
Bavins,  and  in  this  Equipage  they  made  their 
Muster,  and  went  to  begin  the  Fortifications. 
Monsieur  de  Termes,  who  has  often  told  me 
this  story  (for  I  was  not  then  arriv'd  at 
Sienna)  has  assur'd  me  that  in  his  life  he 
never  saw  so  fine  a  sight.  I  have  since  seen 
their  Ensigns,  and  they  had  composed  a 
Song  to  the  honor  of  France,  for  which  I 
wish  I  had  given  the  best  horse  I  have  that  I 
might  insert  it  here. 

And  since  I  am  upon  the  honour  of  these 
women,  I  will  that  those  who  shall  come 
after  us  admire  the  courage  and  virtue  of  a 
young  Virgin  of  Sienna,  who,  though  she 
was  a  poor  mans  daughter,  deserves  not- 
withstanding to  be  rank't  with  those  of  the 
noblest  Families.     I  had  made  a  Decree  at 


288        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  time  when  I  was  Dictator  that  no  one 
upon  pain  of  severe  punishment  should  fail 
to  go  to  the  Guard  in  his  turn.  This  young 
Maid  seeing  a  Brother  of  hers  who  was  con- 
cern'd  to  be  upon  duty  not  able  to  go,  she 
took  his  Morrion  and  put  it  upon  her  head, 
his  Breeches,  and  a  Collar  of  BufF,  and  put 
them  on,  and  with  his  Halbert  upon  her 
neck,  in  this  equipage  mounted  the  Guard; 
passing  when  the  List  was  read  by  her 
Brothers  name,  and  stood  Centinel  in  turn, 
without  being  discover'd  till  the  morning 
that  it  was  fair  light  day,  when  she  was 
conducted  home  with  great  honor.  In 
the  afternoon  Signior  Cornelio  shew'd  her 
to  me. 

But  to  return  to  our  subject,  it  was  not 
possible  of  all  that  day  nor  the  night  follow- 
ing for  the  Count  to  perfect  his  Terrass,  nor 
we  our  Retirade,  at  which  we  wrought  ex- 
ceeding hard,  leaving  about  fourscore  paces 
to  the  Marquis,  if  he  had  a  mind  to  enter 
there.  We  had  made  a  Traverse  by  the 
Port  Oville,  where  we  had  plac't  three  great 
Culverins,  laden  as  I  have  said  before,  at 
which  place  were  Signior  Cornelio,  the  Count 
de  Gayas,  and  three  Canoneers,  who  were 
there  left  by  Monsieur  Bassompierre.  On 
the  right  hand  upon  an  Eminence  was  the 


SIENA  289 

great  Observance,  betwixt  which  and  the 
walls  we  had  planted  five  pieces  of  Canon 
ram'd  with  the  same,  which  the  said  Bassom- 
pierre  commanded  in  his  own  person  ;  yet 
both  the  one  and  the  other  were  so  well 
conceal'd  that  the  Enemy  could  discover 
nothing  from  the  little  hills  about  us.  Well 
did  they  perceive  that  above  at  the  Observ- 
ance there  were  people  ;  for  they  had  ever- 
more a  clap  at  that  :  but  we  were  all  behind 
a  Trench  we  had  cast  up  betwixt  the  Observ- 
ance and  the  Wall  of  the  City,  tapist  and 
squat,  so  that  we  could  not  be  seen.  The 
Soldiers  were  all  before  the  houses,  through 
which  they  had  pierc't  several  holes  to  come 
and  go  under  cover.  Behind  the  Retirade, 
which  was  not  much  above  the  height  of  a 
man,  they  were  also  sheltred  from  being 
seen.  Signior  Cornelio  was  also  under 
cover,  by  reason  that  he  lay  in  a  low  place 
and  under  the  shelter  of  a  very  thick  wall 
which  join'd  to  Port  Oville.  The  order  of 
the  fight  was  thus. 

Signior  Cornelio  had  with  him  one  Ensign 
of  Germans,  two  of  French,  four  of  Italians, 
and  four  of  Siennois,  having  also  the  Count 
de  Gayas  to  assist  him  ;  and  with  me  at  the 
Observance  was  the  Rhinecroc,  with  three 
Companies  of  Germans,  two  of  French,  two 
T 


290        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

of  Italians,  and  four  Ensigns  of  Siennois.  In 
all  the  two  Troops  both  of  Signior  Cornelio's 
and  mine  there  was  not  so  much  as  one 
HarquebuZj  but  Pikes,  Halberts,  and  two 
hand-Swords,  (and  of  those  but  few)  Swords, 
and  Targets,  all  arms  proper  for  close  fight, 
and  the  most  furious  and  killing  weapons  of 
all  other  ;  for  to  stand  popping  and  pelting 
with  those  small  shot  is  but  so  much  time 
lost  ;  a  man  must  close  and  grapple  collar 
to  collar  if  he  mean  to  rid  any  work,  which 
the  Soldier  will  never  do  so  long  as  he  has 
his  fire-arms  in  his  hands,  but  will  be  alwaies 
fighting  at  distance. 

All  the  night  the  Enemy  were  placing 
Gabions  for  six  and  twenty  or  seven  and 
twenty  pieces  of  Ordnance,  and  by  break  of 
day  they  had  planted  twelve,  as  they  would 
in  that  time  have  done  all  the  rest  had  it 
not  been  that  they  had  been  necessitated  to 
draw  their  Canon  up  to  this  Mountain  by 
strength  of  hand.  The  Wall  is  good  enough, 
which  not  long  since  by  one  of  the  two  Popes 
Pius's,  who  were  of  the  house  of  Picol- 
huomini,  and  of  the  Order  of  the  people, 
had  caused  to  be  made.  At  break  of  day 
they  began  their  Battery  within  a  foot  or  two 
of  the  bottom  of  the  Walls,  at  the  distance 
of  about  an  hundred  paces  ;  which  they  did 


SIENA  291 

to  cut  the  Wall  by  the  bottom,  making  account 
the  next  day  with  the  rest  of  the  Artillery  in 
a  short  time  to  beat  down  the  whole  wall  : 
but  for  all  that  the  Count  de  Bisque  ceased 
not  continually  to  fill  the  Antiport,  leaving 
us  Flanckers,  so  that  we  could  see  all  along 
the  breach.  About  noon  they  gave  over  their 
Battery  below,  and  began  to  batter  the  middle 
of  the  wall,  when  so  soon  as  I  saw  them 
begin  to  let  in  light,  I  left  Signior  Cornelio, 
who  continually  went  up  and  down  from 
place  to  place,  and  took  Monsieur  de  Bassom- 
pierre,  with  whom  I  went  to  the  Fort 
Camoglia,  from  whence  we  could  plainly  see 
into  the  recoyle  of  their  Canon,  but  I  shall 
leave  this  discourse  to  finish  the  Order. 

I  left  a  French  Company  at  the  Fort 
Camoglia,  another  at  the  Citadel,  there  being 
already  two  Companies  of  Siennois  at  each, 
more  than  two  Companies  of  Germans  at  the 
place,  each  a  part  by  themselves  ;  one  of 
Italians  at  the  Port  St  Mark,  and  all  along 
the  wall  towards  Fonte-brando,  Siennois,  and 
towards  Porto  Novo  the  same,  having  given 
the  word  to  the  two  French  Companies  that 
in  case  I  should  stand  in  need  I  would  send 
for  them,  leaving  the  Siennois  still  in  the 
Citadel,  and  in  the  Fort.  The  same  Instruc- 
tions J  left  with  the  Germans,  and  had  taken 


2  92        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

order  that  from  six  hours  to   six  hours  we 
would  change  the  word,  as  well  by  day  as  by 
night,  to  the  end  that  whilst  every  one  lay 
close   at    his  post,  if  there    should    be  any 
Traytor  amongst  us,  he  might  go  to  no  place 
where  he  might  have  any  Intelligence  with 
the  Enemy  to  draw  men  from  that  part  to 
weaken  that  Post,  to  carry  them  to  another  : 
but  that  no  one  should  be  believ'd  if  he  did 
not  bring  the  word,  in  changing  of  which  it 
should  be  carried  to  the  Siennois  by  two  of 
the  Council  of  Eight,  by  the  one  to  the  one 
half,  and  by  the  other  to  the  other  ;  so  that 
unless  those  themselves  brought    the    word 
they  were  not  to  stir  from  their  Post.     I  was 
ever  afraid  that  the  Marquis  had  some  intelli- 
gence in  the  City,  which  made  me  take  this 
course  to  prevent  him.     The  Germans  who 
were  at  the  great  place  had  the  same  com- 
mand, and    moreover   that   an   officer    or   a 
Serjeant  of  the  others  should  come  to  fetch 
them  :  to  which  end  there  were  six  Serjeants 
chosen  out  of  our  Italian  and  French  Com- 
panies, who  had  in  charge  that  during  the 
time  of  the  Battery  or  of  an  Assault  they 
should    continually   be    moving    along    the 
Curtain  of  the  Wall  to  the  Quarters  I  had 
appointed,     and     never    to    abandon     their 
Quarter.     It  was  also  ordain'd  that  no  one 


SIENA  293 

upon  pain  of  death,  of  what  Nation  soever, 
not  so  much  as  the  Siennois  themselves 
should  dare  to  abandon  the  Retirade,  being 
of  the  number  of  those  who  were  there 
appointed  for  the  fight,  and  the  same  was 
carried  quite  round  the  walls  of  the  City. 
It  was  also  order'd  that  of  eight  of  the 
Council  of  War  four  were  continually  to 
remain  with  me  and  Signior  Cornelio,  to  the 
end  that  the  two  who  remain'd  with  him 
might  go  continually  on  horseback  with  the 
word  to  fetch  such  succours  as  Signior 
Cornelio  should  send  for,  to  relieve  him  if 
occasion  should  be,  and  my  two  the  like  ; 
that  is  to  say  of  the  Captains  of  the  City,  and 
the  other  four  should  go  to  the  places  where 
the  six  Serjeants  were  appointed  to  be,  to  the 
end  that  they  might  joyntly  encourage  the 
Soldiers  to  fight  if  necessity  should  require. 
And  there  where  there  was  no  business  to  be 
done  and  that  any  came  to  them  with  the 
word  for  succours,  they  should  deliver  him 
the  one  half  and  keep  the  rest  to  defend  that 
Post.  That  the  Officers  of  the  King,  as 
Controulers,  Commissaries  of  victual.  Treas- 
urers, or  their  Deputies,  should  ordinarily  be, 
part  by  day  and  part  by  night,  still  on  horse- 
back, riding  up  and  down  the  streets  of  the 
City,  and  that  from   hour  to  hour  one  ot 


294        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

them  should  bring  me  news  how  all  things 
stood  in  the  body  of  the  City  and  about  the 
Walls,  bringing  us  still  some  token  or  another 
that  they  had  spoke  with  the  four  of  the 
Council  and  the  Serjeants  who  were  deputed 
with  them.  This  was  the  order  I  gave,  at 
least  as  much  as  I  remember,  never  failing 
my  self  every  day  to  visit  the  companies  and 
to  encourasfe  the  Inhabitants  to  do  well. 

I  now  return  to  what  we  did  at  the  Fort 
Camoglia  :  Monsieur  de  Bassompierre  ran 
to  fetch  a  Canon  we  had  in  the  Citadel,  but 
as  he  went  about  to  remove  it  the  Carriage 
broke,  so  that  instead  of  it  he  brought  a  Demy- 
Canon,  which  a  Siennois  the  said  Bassompierre 
had  entertein'd  in  the  quality  of  a  Canoneer 
evermore  shot  in,  and  so  well  that  he  could 
hit  with  it  as  small  a  mark  as  if  it  had  been 
a  Harquebuz.  He  was  assisted  by  some 
Italian  and  French  Soldiers  of  the  Citadel 
to  bring  it,  whilst  I  was  making  ready  a 
Platform  with  the  Soldiers  of  the  Fort,  till 
my  Company  of  Pioneers  came  which  I  had 
sent  for  in  all  haste,  and  in  less  than  an  hour 
and  a  half  we  dispatcht  it  where  I  mounted 
my  Demy-Canon.  I  gave  ten  Crowns  to 
our  Siennois,  that  he  might  make  some  good 
shots  with  that  Piece  here  as  he  had  done 
several  at  the  Citadel  before.     The  Enemy 


SIENA  295 

had  plac't  Gabions  on  the  Flanck  of  their 
Battery  towards  us.  Bassompierre  and  I 
went  a  little  on  the  right  hand,  and  observ'd 
the  Bullet  in  the  air  like  a  hat  on  fire,  flying 
very  wide  on  the  right  hand,  and  the  second 
as  much  on  the  left,  which  made  me  ready 
to  eat  my  own  flesh  for  rage  :  Monsieur 
de  Bassompierre  always  assur'd  me  that  he 
would  presently  take  his  level  right,  and  still 
went  and  came  to  and  fro  betwixt  him  and 
me.  The  third  shot  light  upon  the  bottom 
of  the  Gabions,  and  the  fourth  playd  directly 
into  their  Artillery  and  there  kill'd  a  great 
many  of  their  men,  whereupon  all  those  that 
assisted  fled  behind  a  little  house  which  was 
in  the  rear  of  their  Canon.  At  which  I  ran 
and  took  him  in  my  arms,  and  seeing  him 
with  his  Linstock  ready  to  fire  again,  said  to 
him,  '  Fradel  mio  da  li  da  seno,  per  dio 
*  facio,  ti  presente  dalteri  dieci  scoudi,  &' 
'  d'une  biechier  de  vino  Graeco.'  I  then  left 
him  the  French  Captain,  who  had  the  Guard 
of  the  Fort,  to  furnish  him  continually  with 
such  things  as  he  stood  in  need  of,  and 
Monsieur  Bassompierre  and  I  return'd  to 
our  Post.  There  then  advanc't  a  German 
Ensign  to  the  Enemies  battery,  who  came 
along  by  the  other  Gabionade  with  his  colours 
flying,  and  this  might  be  about  four  of  the 


296        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  could  see  him 
march  from  behind  the  Observance,  and  was 
no  sooner  come  to  the  Artillery  but  our 
Piece  fir'd  and  kill'd  the  Ensign,  upon  which 
the  Germans  immediately  fled  away,  retiring 
to  the  place  from  whence  they  came.  And 
this  Siennois  made  so  many  brave  shots  that 
he  dismounted  them  six  pieces  of  Canon, 
and  their  Artillery  remain'd  totally  abandon'd 
till  the  beginning  of  the  night,  without 
playing  any  worse  than  two  pieces  of  Canon 
that  were  covered  with  Gabions  and  flanckt 
towards  the  Fort  Camoglia,  which  our 
Artillery  could  not  touch,  because  they  shot 
over  by  reason  of  the  height  of  the  Gabions, 
and  in  the  twilight  they  made  seven  or  eight 
shots  at  the  Observance  where  we  were,  and 
the  houses  adjoyning,  and  of  all  night  after 
shot  no  more.  We  work'd  exceeding  hard 
all  night  to  finish  our  Retirade,  and  the 
Count  de  Bisque  was  no  less  diligent  at  the 
Antiport,  so  that  two  hours  before  day  all 
was  perfected  and  every  one  settled  in  his 
Post  where  he  was  to  fight.  That  which 
made  us  make  so  much  haste  was  that  we 
heard  a  great  noise  at  their  Artillery  and 
thought  they  were  bringing  up  the  rest,  which 
made  me  put  out  a  man  to  discover  their 
Battery,  who  brought  us  word  that  they  had 


SIENA  297 

cut  above  fourscore  paces  of  the  wall,  within 
a  spar  or  two  of  the  bottom,  and  that  he 
believ'd  in  a  few  hours  they  would  have 
beaten  it  totally  down,  which  we  did  not  much 
care  for  though  they  did,  for  we  hop'd  to 
sell  them  their  Entry  very  dear  ;  and  about 
an  hour  before  day  they  ceased  their  noise, 
which  made  us  think  that  they  only  expected 
the  break  of  day  to  give  fire.  I  then  mounted 
upon  the  wall,  having  Captain  Charry  always 
with  me,  who  by  main  force  would  needs 
have  me  down  when  the  day  began  to  break, 
and  soon  after  I  perceiv'd  that  at  the 
Windows  of  the  Gabions  there  was  no 
Artillery,  and  that  instead  of  planting  more 
they  had  drawn  off  those  that  were.  I  then 
called  out  to  Signior  Cornelio  that  we  were 
out  of  danger  of  an  Assault,  and  that  the 
Enemy  had  drawn  off  their  Canon  ;  at 
which  news  every  one  began  to  come  upon 
the  wall,  where  the  Siennois  sufficiently  rated 
the  Enemy  in  their  language,  saying  *  Coioni 
*  marrani^  venete  qua  vi  metteremo  per  tet  ra  vinii 
'  bras  si  di  muri.'  They  were  constrain 'd 
to  stay  three  days  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountain  to  repair  their  Carriages,  which 
the  Demy-Canon  we  had  brought  to 
Fort  Camoglia  had  broken  and  spoild 
them. 


298        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Now  (as  I  have  already  said)  the  Gentle- 
man of  the  Emperors  Bedchamber  had  all  the 
while  kept  a  great  deal  of  clutter  what  Canon 
would  do  to  the  winning  of  the  Town  :  but 
after  he  had  been  an  eye  witness  of  all  that 
has  been  related,  and  that  the  Marquis  had 
remonstrated  to  him  that  the  Retirade  and 
those  other  Fortifications  1  made  within  was 
to  let  him  enter,  and  to  give  him  Battail 
in  the  City  (for  if  I  knew  what  he  did,  he  was 
no  less  enform'd  of  my  proceeding,  there 
being  evermore  one  Traytor  or  another 
amongst  all  people)  he  then  was  of  the 
same  opinion  with  the  Marquis  and  the 
other  Captains  that  the  Town  was  never 
to  be  taken  by  force  ;  but  that  it  was  to 
be  reduc't  to  famine,  and  therefore  thought 
it  convenient  that  the  Artillery  should  be 
sent  back  to  Florence.  He  then  return'd 
back  to  his  Master  to  give  him  an  account 
of  what  he  had  seen,  and  that  the  Marquis 
could  do  no  more  than  what  he  had  already 
done.  I  do  not  know  whether  or  no  he 
acquainted  the  Emperor  with  the  fright  he 
had  been  in,  which  the  Marquis  himself  gave 
me  a  relation  of  at  my  going  out  of  Sienna, 
as  he  went  along  with  me  above  two  miles 
of  my  way,  where  he  told  me  that  at  the 
time  when   their  Artillery  was   forsaken  by 


SIENA  299 

reason  of  the  Havock  our  Demy-Canon 
made  amongst  them,  he  was  close  by  the 
side  of  the  little  house  in  his  Litter,  being 
then  very  lame  of  the  Gout,  where  his  Litter 
being  set  down  upon  the  ground,  this  Gentle- 
man of  the  Emperor's  was  talking  to  him, 
having  his  hands  upon  the  Cover  of  the 
Litter,  and  his  head  within  it,  whispering 
with  the  said  Marquis  ;  when  our  Governor 
seeing  the  Artillery  abandoned,  and  every 
one  retyr'd  under  the  shelter  of  the  little 
house,  made  a  shot  at  it,  with  which  a  part 
of  the  wall  which  was  of  brick  fell  upon  the 
Litter,  so  that  the  said  Gentleman  was  by 
it  beaten  down  upon  the  Marquis's  Legs, 
so  astonish't  as  nothing  more,  and  the 
Marquis  swore  to  me  that  in  his  life  he 
was  himself  never  in  so  much  fear  of  being 
kill'd  as  at  that  time  :  that  they  drew  the 
Gentleman  out  from  off  his  legs,  and  him- 
self after  with  much  ado,  all  the  Litter  being 
full  of  the  ruine  and  covering  of  the  said 
house.  And  the  said  Marquis  moreover 
told  me  that  at  the  great  fright  he  was  in 
his  Gout  left  him,  for  the  whole  ruine  fell 
at  once  upon  him  and  upon  the  Gentleman, 
who  verily  thought  himself  to  be  kill'd.  I 
have  often  heard  that  the  apprehension  of 
death  has  cur'd  many  diseases  ;  I  know  not 


300        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

if  the  Marquis  his  Gout  be  returned  since, 
but  he  assur'd  me  he  had  never  had  it  after 
from  that  fright  till  the  time  I  saw  him. 
If  it  be  return'd  or  no  I  leave  others  to 
enquire. 

This  might  be  about  the  middle  of 
January,  and  not  above  eight  dayes  after 
we  began  to  perceive  that  the  Germans  grew 
very  impatient  at  the  little  bread  they  had, 
having  no  wine,  which  was  the  most  insupport- 
able of  all.  The  Rhinecroc  himself,  who  was 
sickly,  could  no  longer  endure,  there  being 
nothing  to  be  had  unless  it  were  a  little 
horse  flesh  or  a  piece  of  an  Ass.  Signior 
Cornelio  and  I  then  began  to  contrive  which 
way  we  might  get  these  Germans  out  of  the 
City,  and  conceited  that  if  they  were  gone 
we  could  yet  keep  the  Town  above  two 
months  longer,  whereas  if  they  staid  we 
should  be  necessitated  to  surrender  :  we 
therefore  concluded  to  send  a  man  privately 
to  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  to  remonstrate  all 
this  to  him,  and  to  entreat  him  to  send  for 
them  after  the  most  plausible  manner  he 
could  (which  I  also  directed  him  how  to  do), 
and  sent  to  him  Captain  Cossel,  who  is  now 
my  Ensign,  very  well  instructed.  It  was 
with  exceeding  great  difficulty  that  he  was 
to  pass,  which   that   he   might  do  we  were 


SIENA  301 

to  fight  two  Courts  of  Guard,  by  reason  that 
the  Marquis  had  already  cast  up  a  great 
number  of  Trenches  which  came  up  close 
to  the  walls  of  the  City  on  every  side.  Of 
these  Captain  Charry  fought  the  one,  and 
the  Count  de  Gayas  with  a  Company  of 
Italians  the  other :  so  that  whilst  they  were 
fighting  he  got  over  the  Trench  and  re- 
covered the  rear  of  the  Camp  with  his 
Guides,  and  two  dayes  after  return 'd  in 
Company  with  an  Italian  Gentleman  call'd 
Captain  Flaminio,  who  brought  Letters  to  the 
Rhinecroc  and  to  me  also,  wherein  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  writ  to  me  to  send  the  Rhinecroc 
with  his  Companies  out  to  him,  for  that  he 
intended  to  set  on  foot  a  flying  Army,  having 
with  him  great  store  of  Italian  horse  and 
foot,  and  that  without  some  of  those  Tramon- 
tane sinews  he  should  never  be  able  to  relieve 
me,  and  that  he  would  protest  against  me 
if  the  City  was  lost.  To  the  Rhinecroc  like- 
wise he  sent  very  obliging  letters,  having 
before-hand  made  Captain  Flamino  very 
perfect  in  his  Lesson.  The  Rhinecroc  upon 
the  receiving  these  orders  broke  out  into 
very  great  complaints,  saying  that  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy  reduc'd  him  to  the  greatest 
extremities,  and  that  it  was  impossible  for 
him   to  get   away   without  being  defeated  : 


302        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

but  that  he  would  however  speak  to  his 
Officers,  which  he  did,  and  which  begot  a 
very  great  dispute  amongst  them.  At  length 
one  of  them  in  whom  he  reposed  the 
greatest  confidence,  and  who  serv'd  him  in 
the  quality  of  Camp-Master,  remonstrated 
to  him  that  he  had  much  better  hazard  with 
his  sword  in  his  hand  to  make  his  way 
through  the  Marquis  his  Camp,  than  stay 
to  die  of  famine,  or  by  a  Capitulation  to 
surrender  himself  to  the  Enemies  discretion, 
which  however  in  a  few  days  he  must  of 
necessity  do  ;  for  there  was  nothing  left  to 
eat,  and  their  Soldiers  began  to  murmur 
insomuch  that  they  evermore  expected  when 
a  great  part  of  them  should  go  give  them- 
selves up  to  the  Enemy,  which  made  them 
resolve  to  depart.  The  Rhinecroc  was  not 
much  to  be  blam'd  for  his  unwillingness, 
it  being  a  very  perilous  Journey,  for  at  the 
very  sallying  out  of  the  Gate,  he  was  of 
necessity  to  fight  several  Spanish  Guards, 
and  half  a  mile  from  thence  another  at 
a  Trench  the  Enemy  had  cast  up  near  unto 
a  certain  Mill  which  was  in  his  way.  Upon 
their  determination  to  depart,  I  gave  express 
charge  that  no  one  living  should  speak  of 
this  sally,  causing  the  Gates  of  the  City  to 
be   close  shut,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the 


SIENA  303 

night   they  all   came  with  their  baggage   to 
the  great  place  before  Porto  Novo. 

The  Siennois,  who  understood  nothing  of 
all  this,  at  the  seeing  the  Germans  in  this 
marching  posture,  began  in  all  haste  to  re- 
pair to  the  Pallace  in  very  great  despair. 
I  then  caus'd  three  Companies  to  sally  out, 
two  of  French  and  one  of  Italian  ;  the  first 
whereof  was  led  by  Captain  Charry,  the 
second  by  Captain  Blacon  (who  since  dyed 
a  Hugonot  at  Xaintonge),  and  the  third 
by  the  Count  de  Gayas.  Captain  Charry 
had  order  to  fight  the  first  Court  of  Guard, 
which  was  in  a  great  street  of  the  Suburbs, 
the  second  was  at  the  Augustins  in  the  same 
street,  and  the  third  at  S.  Lazaro.  They 
had  in  command  from  me,  never  to  give 
over  till  they  had  fought  all  the  three 
Courts  of  Guards,  and  the  Count  de  Gayas 
took  the  way  on  the  outside  of  the 
Suburbs  on  the  right  hand  all  along  by  the 
houses,  still  marching  softly  on  to  rally  our 
men  together,  as  they  should  be  separated 
and  scatter'd  by  the  fight.  The  Tertia  of 
Sicily  lay  at  the  Charter-house,  consisting  of 
very  good  Soldiers,  and  the  Rhinecroc  at  the 
going  out  of  the  Gate  took  on  the  right 
hand,  entring  into  a  valley,  and  the  Count 
de     Gayas     remain'd    upon    the    eminence 


304        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

moving  still  softly  on,  which  produc'd  two 
effects  for  the  relief  of  our  people,  the  one 
as  has  been  said  by  gathering  our  squandred 
men  together,  and  the  other  to  succour  the 
Rhinecroc  also  if  he  should  stand  in  need  ; 
and  so  we  began  to  open  the  Gate,  it  being 
about  one  of  the  clock  in  the  night.  Captain 
Charry  marched  out  first  (for  it  was  he  who 
alwayes  led  the  dance),  Blacon  after  him,  the 
Count  de  Gayas  next,  and  then  the  Germans, 
who  in  a  trice  put  themselves  into  the 
Valley.  We  immediately  heard  the  fight 
betwixt  our  French  and  the  Spaniards  : 
Captain  Charry  routed  the  two  Courts  of 
Guards,  the  one  after  the  other,  and  beat 
them  up  as  far  as  that  of  St  Lazaro  :  where- 
upon those  of  the  Charter-house  came  out 
to  relieve  their  people,  and  came  to  the 
Augustins  (where  Blacon  had  made  a  halt 
expecting  Captain  Charry)  and  there  clapt 
in  betwixt  them.  Captain  Charry  having 
done  his  business,  thought  to  return  (hear- 
ing very  well  that  they  were  fighting  with 
Blacon)  and  met  the  Enemy,  which  re- 
doubled the  fight.  The  Count  de  Gayas 
could  not  come  to  assist  him  by  reason  that 
I  had  expressly  forbid  him  to  engage  in  the 
fight  till  he  should  first  be  sure  that  the 
Germans  were  out  of  danger  :  but  in  the  end 


SIENA  305 

he  was  constrain'd  to  do  as  the  rest  did,  our 
two  French  Companies  being  driven  upon  him. 
The  Fight  continued  above  a  long  hour, 
Signior  Cornelio  and  I  were  without  the 
Gate  by  the  PortcuUis,  and  nothing  was  open 
but  the  wicket,  and  there  as  the  Soldiers  came 
one  after  another  we  put  them  in,  when  on 
a  sudden  we  heard  the  fight  coming  towards 
us,  some  crying  '  France,'  and  others  '  Spain,' 
when  at  last  they  all  came  up  pel  mel  to- 
gether to  the  Portcullis.  We  had  torches 
within  the  Gates,  and  through  the  wicket  saw 
a  little  light,  by  which  we  drew  the  Soldiers 
in.  I  must  needs  say  there  were  very 
valiant  men  both  on  the  one  side  and  the 
other  ;  for  not  so  much  as  either  French  or 
Italian  ever  once  ran  furiously  upon  us,  but 
still  fac'd  about  at  the  Portcullis,  and  never 
retir'd,  but  step  by  step,  till  we  pulled  them 
in.  All  the  three  Captains  were  wounded, 
and  we  there  lost,  what  slain  and  wounded, 
above  forty  of  the  best  Soldiers  we  had,  both 
French  and  Italians,  and  in  the  end  we  got 
in  all  the  rest  of  our  people.  And  because 
before  the  Sally,  the  Siennois  were  astonish'd 
at  the  departure  of  the  Germans,  I  made 
Signior  Cornelio  to  go  about  the  several 
Guards  and  to  the  Forts  to  reassure  our 
men,  for  no  one  knew  that  the  Germans  were 
U 


3o6        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

to  go  away,  and  I  my  self  went  to  the  Palace 
where  I  found  all  the  Senate  in  a  very  great 
distraction,  to  whom  spoke  as  followeth  : 
*  I   see  well  (Gentlemen)  that   you    have 

*  here  assembled  your  selves  upon  the  occasion 

*  of  the  Germans  departure,  and  that  you  are 

*  enter'd  into  some  apprehension  and  jealousie 

*  that  by  that  means  your  City  will  be  lost  : 

*  But  I  must  tell  you  it  is  the  conservation 

*  and  not  the  loss  of  your  City  ;  for  those 
'  six  Ensigns  devour'd  more  than  the  twelve 
'  of  the  Italians  and  French.  On  the  other 
'  side,  I  know  you  must  have  heard  that  the 

*  said  Germans  already  began  to  mutiny,  being 

*  no  longer  able  to  endure.  I  also  discover'd 
'  well  enough  that  even  their  Captains  were 

*  not  like  to  govern  them,  themselves  appre- 

*  hending   that  they  would  go  over    to   the 

*  Enemy,  and  you  your  selves  have  for  five 

*  or  six  days  last  past  heard  the  Enemy  call 

*  out  to  us  at  the  very  foot  of  our  walls  that 

*  we  were  lost  and  that  our  Germans  would 

*  soon  be  with  them.     Yet  did  not  this  proceed 

*  from  any  default  in  their  Officers,  but  from 

*  the  impatience  of  the  common  Soldiers  who 
*were    no    longer    able    to    suffer.      Now 

*  (Gentlemen)   should  you    appear    dejected 

*  upon  their  departure  ;  the  world  would  say 
'  that  both  your  courage  and  ours  depended 


SIENA  307 

only  upon  theirs,  and  so  we  should  dishonor 
our  selves  to  honor  them  ;  to  which  I  shall 
never  give  my  consent  :  for  you  knew  all 
the  great  fights  that  have  hapned  in  this 
siege  have  been  perform'd  by  you  and  us 
only,  and  they  have  never  so  much  as 
sallied  out  of  the  Town,  save  once  only, 
that  in  spite  of  me  the  Rhinecroc  would  send 
out  his  people  under  the  conduct  of  his 
Nephew  and  his  Camp-Master,  and  would 
accept  of  no  one  of  any  other  Nation  than 
his  own,  at  which  time  you  saw  how  soon 
and  how  easily  they  were  beaten  back  even 
into  the  ditch  of  the  Ravelin  of  Porto  Novo  ; 
so  that  if,  by  good  fortune,  I  had  not  been 
there  and  had  not  made  the  Italian  Guard 
sally  out  to  their  rescue,  not  a  man  of  them 
had  come  off  alive.  I  will  not  disparage 
them,  but  they  are  much  more  proper  for 
a  Battel  than  a  Siege.  Why  then  (Signiors) 
should  you  be  concern'd  at  their  departure  ? 
I  will  say  one  thing  more  to  you,  that 
although  I  had  also  sent  away  the  twelve 
Companies  that  remain  with  me  in  this 
Town,  I  would  yet  undertake  to  defend 
your  City,  provided  the  Captains  stay'd 
behind  to  relieve  me.  You  must  make 
your  Ensigns  Captains  of  the  Watch  by 
turns,  who  shall  have  two  nights  of  inter- 


3o8        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

*  mission,  and  ours  shall  have  but  one,  and 

*  we  must  begin  to  contract  our  allowance  of 

*  bread  to  fourteen  ounces,  and  you  of  the 

*  City  to  ten.  You  must  also  put  the  useless 
'  mouths  out  of  Town,  and  appoint  six 
'  persons  to  take    a    list   of  their  names  to 

*  morrow,  without  further  delay,  and  that  with- 

*  out  regard  of  persons,  and  speedily  thrust 

*  them  out  of  your  City,  by  which  expedient 

*  we  shall  make  our  bread  last  three  months 

*  longer,  which  will  be  a  sufficient  time  for 

*  the  King  wherein  to  relieve  us,  especially 

*  now  that  the  Spring  is  drawing  on.     Cease 

*  therefore  your  apprehensions,  and  on  the 
'  contrary  approve  what  I  have  done  in  order 
'  to  your  service.  If  have  done  it  without 
'  pre-acquainting  the  Senate  with  my  design, 

*  it  was  not  out  of  dis-respect  to  them  but 
'  to  keep  this  departure  secret,  which  was  of 

*  very  great  consequence,  as  you  your  selves 

*  may  have  observ'd  ;  I  having  been  con- 
'  strain'd  to  put  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  upon 

*  the  business  to  deliver  my  self  from  a 
'  people  so  entirely  devoted  to  their  bellies.' 

The  Senate  having  heard  my  Remon- 
strance desir'd  me  to  go  to  my  repose  and 
that  they  would  consider  of  what  I  had  said, 
rendring  me  very  many  thanks  for  the  comfort 
and  good  counsel  I  had  given  them.     In  the 


SIENA  309 

morning  my  whole  Speech  was  divulg'd  all 
over  the  City,  and  there  was  no  more 
thought  of  fear  amongst  them  :  But  they 
could  not  well  agree  amongst  themselves 
about  the  unprofitable  mouths,  forasmuch  as 
every  one  was  willing  to  favour  his  own 
relations  and  friends  ;  wherefore  by  Ballotte 
they  created  me  their  Dictator  General  for 
the  space  of  a  month,  during  which  time 
neither  the  Captain  of  the  people  nor  the 
Magistracy  had  any  command  at  all,  but  I 
had  the  absolute  authority  and  dignity 
anciently  belonging  to  the  old  Dictators  of 
Rome.  I  thereupon  created  six  Commissaries, 
to  take  a  list  of  all  the  useless  people,  and 
afterwards  deliver'd  the  roll  to  a  Knight  of 
Malta,  accompanied  with  five  and  twenty  or 
thirty  Souldiers,  to  put  them  out  of  the 
Town,  which  in  three  days  after  I  had 
deliver'd  in  the  List,  was  performed.  A 
thing  that  had  I  not  very  good  witness  of, 
both  of  the  Siennois,  the  King's  Officers,  and 
the  Captains  who  were  then  present  in 
Sienna,  I  should  not  however  have  mention'd 
in  this  place,  lest  the  world  should  take  me 
for  a  lyar  :  but  it  is  most  perfectly  true. 
The  List  of  these  useless  mouths  I  do 
assure  you  amounted  to  Four  thousand  and 
four  hundred  people,  or  more,  which  of  all 


3IO        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

the  miseries  and  desolations  that  1  have  ever 
seen  was  the  greatest  my  eyes  ever  yet 
beheld,  or  that  I  believe  I  shall  ever  see 
again  ;  for  the  Master  was  hereby  necessitated 
to  part  with  his  servant  who  had  serv'd  him 
long,  the  Mistress  with  her  maid,  besides  an 
infinite  number  of  poor  people,  who  only 
liv'd  by  the  sweat  of  their  brows  ;  which 
weeping  and  desolation  continued  for  three 
days  together  :  and  these  poor  wretches 
were  to  go  thorow  the  Enemy,  who  still 
beat  them  back  again  towards  the  City,  the 
whole  Camp  continuing  night  and  day  in 
Arms  to  that  only  end  :  for  that  they  drove 
them  up  to  the  very  foot  of  the  walls  that 
they  might  the  sooner  consume  the  little 
bread  we  had  left,  and  to  see  if  the  City  out 
of  compassion  to  those  miserable  Creatures 
would  revolt  ;  but  that  prevail'd  nothing, 
though  they  lay  eight  days  in  this  condition, 
when  they  had  nothing  to  eat  but  herbs 
and  grass,  and  above  the  one  half  of  them 
perish'd,  for  the  Enemy  kill'd  them,  and 
very  few  escap'd  away.  There  were  a  great 
many  Maids  and  handsome  women  indeed, 
who  found  means  to  escape,  the  Spaniards 
by  night  stealing  them  into  their  quarters, 
for  their  own  provision,  but  it  was  unknown 
to   the   Marquis,  for  it  had  otherwise  been 


SIENA  311 

death  :  and  some  strong  and  vigorous  men 
also  forc'd  their  way,  and  escap'd  by  night. 
But  all  those  did  not  amount  to  the  fourth 
part,  and  all  the  rest  miserably  perish'd. 
These  are  the  effects  of  War.  We  must 
of  necessity  sometimes  be  cruel  to  frustrate 
the  designs  of  an  Enemy.  God  had  need 
to  be  merciful  to  men  of  our  Trade,  who 
commit  so  many  sins,  and  are  the  causers  of 
many  miseries  and  mischiefs. 

You  Captains  and  Governors  of  places,  if 
you  be  not  perfect  already,  lessen  these  Arts 
and  Stratagems  :  It  is  not  all  to  be  valiant 
and  wise,  you  must  also  be  circumspect  and 
cunning.  Had  I  entreated  the  Rhinecroc  to 
depart  the  City,  he  would  have  been  dis- 
pleas'd  and  have  reproach'd  me  that  I  sent 
him  to  the  slaughter,  but  I  proceeded  more 
discreetly,  serving  my  self  with  the  authority 
of  Monsieur  de  Strozzy,  wherein  I  had  no 
other  end  but  to  gain  time  to  tire  out  my 
Enemy,  and  to  give  the  King  leisure  to  relieve 
us  :  But  as  I  have  said  before,  he  employ 'd 
his  Forces  there  where  he  had  the  most  con- 
cern. Nearer  is  the  skin  than  the  skirt.  Never 
fear  to  discharge  your  selves  of  useless  mouths, 
and  bar  your  ears  from  all  crys  of  the  afflicted  : 
Had  I  obey'd  my  own  disposition,  I  had 
done  it  three  months  sooner,  which  if  I  had. 


312        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

I  might  peradventure  have  sav'd  the  Town, 
or  at  least  I  had  longer  held  my  Enemy  in 
play ;  and  1  have  a  hundred  times  since 
repented  me  that  I  did  not. 

The  Marquis  seeing  that  I  had  put  the 
Germans  out  of  the  Town  (who  were  the 
greatest  part  of  them  defeated  by  the  way,  and 
thorough  their  own  great  fault,  which  I  shall 
not  however  give  any  further  account  of,  for 
they  were  not  defeated  about  Sienna,  but  else- 
where upon  their  march,  where  their  own 
fear  surpriz'd  them,  without  any  great  reason) 
and  seeing  also  that  I  had  driven  out  the 
useless  people,  both  which  would  help  to  pro- 
long the  Siege,  with  the  contracting  our 
allowance  of  bread  (which  he  had  also  learn'd 
from  those  that  went  out)  these  things  made 
him  to  think  of  some  other  way  to  bring  us 
to  his  bow,  fearing  lest  some  snow  should  fall 
in  the  Spring  (as  it  often  falls  out  in  those 
parts  at  that  time  of  the  year)  which  should 
it  so  happen,  he  should  then  be  constraind  to 
raise  the  Siege  and  repair  to  the  Cities  to  eat, 
for  he  was  almost  in  as  great  necessity  as  we, 
and  the  Soldiers  of  his  Camp  were  fain  to  eat 
Mallows  and  other  herbs,  as  well  as  ours,  by 
reason  that  oftentimes  their  provisions  could 
not  be  brought  in  due  time  ;  for  it  all  came 
from  about  Florence,  which  was  thirty  miles 


SIENA  313 

off,  and  upon  little  Asses,  excepting  100 
Mules,  and  those  were  to  bring  sufficient  to 
serve  whilst  they  could  go  and  come,  which 
was  five  or  six  days,  and  every  return  some 
of  their  beasts  of  burthen  dyed.  For  about 
the  Camp  there  was  no  more  so  much  as  one 
herb,  neither  hay,  straw,  nor  grain  to  be 
found,  and  much  less  any  one  Inhabitant 
within  ten  miles  of  the  Road.  And  all  his 
Cavalry  lay  yet  ten  miles  beyond  Florence, 
excepting  the  Company  of  Signior  Cabri  the 
Marquis  his  Nephew,  which  consisted  of  no 
more  than  fifty  Horse,  and  was  also  every 
fifteen  days  to  be  reliev'd  by  fifty  others  that 
were  quarter'd  at  Banconvent.  So  that  had 
God  been  pleas'd  to  send  us  a  little  snow, 
though  but  for  eight  days  only,  his  Camp 
would  have  been  necessitated  to  rise  and  to 
shift  for  themselves  in  the  most  commodious 
quarters  abroad  in  the  Countiy.  All  these 
things  together  put  the  Marquis  upon  an 
attempt  to  shorten  the  War,  wherein  his 
design  was  one  way  or  another  to  sow  division 
amongst  the  quarters  of  the  City,  seeing  us 
weak,  and  knowing  very  well  that  although 
we  had  yet  twelve  Companies,  there  was 
nevertheless  not  eighteen  hundred  men  :  To 
which  effect  by  those  of  the  Siennois  who 
were  banish'd  the  City,  and  were  with  the 


314        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Marquis,  an  invention  was  found  out  to  gain 
a  Citizen  of  the  Town  called  Messer  Pedro, 
a  man  with  one  eye,  and  of  the  order  of  the 
people  (which  was  that  wherein  we  most  con- 
fided, together  with  the  order  of  the  Reforma- 
tors)  and  that  by  the  means  of  certain  little 
boys  who  went  with  little  sacks  to  gather 
herbs  in  the  Meadows  upon  the  River  Tresse. 
By  whom  the  Marquis  so  order'd  the  business 
that  he  corrupted  this  man,  and  made  him  a 
Traytor  to  his  People  and  Countrey  ;  and  the 
form  of  this  practice  was  that  Messer  Pedro 
should  receive  several  blancks,  sign'd  by  the 
Siennois,  who  were  in  the  Marquis  his  Camp, 
which  he  himself  should  write  over  at  his  own 
discretion. 

The  plot  of  this  design  was  thus,  that 
Messer  Pedro  should  in  his  Letters  write 
these  words  *  that  they  wonder'd  they  should 
'  thus  suffer  themselves  to  be  so  manifestly 
'  abus'd  by  the  Signeur  de  Montluc  ;  and  that 

*  a  child  might  discern  all  the  assurances  he 

*  gave  them  of  relief  from  the  King  of  France 

*  to  be  no  more  than  gulleries  and  deceits  : 
'  That  although  they  had  unworthily  been 
'  thrust  out  of  the  City  yet  did  they  neverthe- 
'  less,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  infinitely  lament 

*  to  see  them  so  miserably  lose  themselves,  and 

*  that  if  they  would  send  out  a  man  to  go  so 


SIENA  315 

*  far  as  Rome,  to  enquire  if  the  King  was  rais- 

*  ing  an  Army  for  their  succour,  they  would 

*  then  infallibly  discover  the  Cheat  :  That  they 

*  begg'd  of  them  not  to  suiFer  themselves  to  be 

*  reduc'd  to  the  last  morsel,  which  if  they 

*  should  do,  they  would  not  then  come  off 
'  cheaper  than  at  the  price  of  their  heads,  the 

*  ruine  of  their  estates,  their  wives  and  child- 
'  ren  :  That  they  had  yet  means  to  make  their 

*  peace  with  the  Emperor  by  the  Mediation  of 

*  the  Marquis  if  they  would  let  him  into  the 

*  Town,  which  was  a  thing  easie  enough  to  do, 

*  if  they  would  consult  and  joyn  with  some 

*  of  the  City,  who  had  already  engag'd  them- 
'  selves  to  them  ;  and  that  they  might  know 

*  who  were  of  the  intelligence,  they  were  to 
'  go    into    such    a    street    and    where    they 

*  should  see  a  little  white   Cross  under  the 

*  door  the  Master  of  that  house  was  one.' 
This  one  ey'd  Dog  perform'd  his  office 
exactly  well,  and  directed  his  Letters  to  one 
of  those  in  whom  we  repos'd  an  absolute 
trust,  being  very  certain  that  he  would  forth- 
with carry  it  to  the  Magistrate,  and  that  the 
Magistrate  would  also  in  the  morning  send 
into  the  street  mention'd  in  the  Letter  and 
would  seize  upon  the  Gentleman  of  the  house 
at  whose  door  the  Cross  should  be  found. 
However  he  resolv'd  ever  to  make  his  Cross 


3i6        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

at  some  house  of  the  orders  of  the  Nov!  and 
the  Gentlemen,  forasmuch  as  the  other  two 
Orders  had  them  in  suspicion,  and  the  Marquis 
thought  (knowing  the  humor  of  the  Siennois, 
and  the  hatred  they  bore  one  to  another)  that 
immediately  so  soon  as  that  person  should 
be  taken,  they  would  hurry  him  without  any 
other  form  of  Justice  to  the  Scaffold,  by  which 
means  those  two  Orders  of  the  Novi  and  of 
the  Gentlemen  would  enter  into  so  ereat  an 

•  •  •  ^ 

animosity  and  despair  that  to  save  their  lives 
they  would  be  constrain'd  to  betake  them- 
selves to  arms  to  possess  themselves  of  a 
Canton  of  the  City  near  into  the  walls,  to 
favour  the  Enemy,  and  to  help  them  into 
the  City. 

This  cursed  Rogue  then  began  to  forge  his 
first  Letter,  and  by  night  went  and  thrust  it 
under  the  door  of  the  house  of  one  of  the 
Gentlemen,  who  was  unsuspected,  and  made 
his  little  Cross  in  another  Street  at  the  house  of 
one  of  the  richest  Gentlemen  of  the  Order  of 
the  Novi  ;  so  that  in  the  morning  the  Gentle- 
man to  whom  the  Letter  was  directed  found 
it  in  the  Entry  of  his  house,  presently  read 
it,  and  carreid  it  to  the  Magistrates,  who  so 
soon  as  they  had  look'd  upon  it  immediately 
sent  it  to  me  by  Misser  Hieronimo  Hispano, 
sending  me  word  withal  that  they  had  deter- 


SIENA 


317 


min'd  to  go  apprehend  the  said  Gentleman, 
and  forthwith  to  carry  him  directly  to  the 
Scaffold.  Whereupon  I  sent  the  Signiors 
Cornelio  and  Bartolomeo  Cavalcano  back  to 
them  to  entreat  them  not  so  precipitously  to 
proceed  to  blood,  for  that  it  might  be  an 
invention  of  the  Marquis  to  set  division 
amongst  us  :  but  that  they  might  do  well  to 
commit  him  to  prison,  which  they  accordingly 
did.  Two  days  after  there  was  another 
Letter  found  in  the  same  manner  in  the  house 
of  a  Gentleman  of  the  Order  of  the  Novi,  a 
man  no  more  suspected  than  the  other,  and 
the  little  Cross  under  the  door  of  one  of  the 
Gentlemen  :  At  which  the  Senate  was  so 
incens'd  that  I  was  fain  myself  to  go  to  the 
Pallace,  where  I  had  much  ado  to  obtain  the 
favour  that  they  would  defer  execution  for 
five  days  only  to  see  if  in  that  time  God 
would  please  to  give  us  further  light  into  this 
Fact.  All  the  whole  City  was  enrag'd  and 
talk'd  of  nothing  but  cutting  off  heads.  As 
God  help  me  it  could  never  sink  into  my 
head  that  it  was  any  other  than  a  device  of 
the  Marquis,  for  I  knew  very  well  with 
whom  I  had  to  do.  I  then  entreated  Messer 
Bartolomeo  Cavalcano  that  he  would  never 
cease  day  or  night,  to  go  visit  the  said 
Gentlemen,  and  the  Citizens  of  the  Order  of 


3i8        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  Gentlemen,  and  the  Novi,  whom  the  mis- 
fortune concern'd,  to  entreat  them  not  to 
despair,  and  to  tell  them  that  I  would  take 
order  no  blood  should  be  shed  and  that  I 
gave  no  credit  to  those  Letters  and  Crosses. 
Signior  Cornelio  also  assisted  me  very  much 
in  this  affair,  who  had  a  very  great  interest  in 
the  City,  by  reason  of  the  Cardinal  of  Ferrara 
with  whom  he  had  always  liv'd  during  his 
abode  in  this  City. 

Now  three  or  four  days  after  this,  thinking 
the  fury  to  be  over,  behold  another  Letter 
and  another  Cross  found  in  the  same  manner 
as  before  :  At  which  everybody  lost  all 
patience,  and  would  immediately  drag  all 
three  to  execution.  I  then  ran  to  the 
pallace,  taking  Signior  Cornelio  and  Signior 
Bartolomeo  along  with  me.  As  I  was  going, 
it  came  into  my  head  that  I  had  no  way  to 
divert  this  blow,  but  by  a  colour  of 
devotion,  and  so  soon  as  I  came  there,  I 
found  the  great  Hall  already  almost  full  of 
men  of  the  Reformators,  and  of  the  Order 
of  the  people  :  when  so  soon  as  I  enter'd 
into  the  Hall  of  the  Magistracy,  they  all 
began  to  cry  out  that  it  was  now  no  longer 
time  to  forbear,  but  that  they  were  to 
proceed  to  a  speedy  execution  of  Justice  ; 
whereupon  having  taken  my  place,  I  spoke 


SIENA  319 

to  them  in  Italian,  as  at  other  times,  after 
this  manner. 

*  Gentlemen,  since  the  time  that  I   have 

*  had  the  honor  to  Command  in  your  City, 
'  by  the  appointment  of  the  King  my  Master, 
*you     have    never    undertaken    any    thing 

*  whether  as  to  matters  of  War  or  as  to  the 
'  Government  of  your  Corporation,  without 
'  first  communicating  to  me  your  intention, 
'  and  asking  my  opinion  and  advice.     Where- 

*  in,  by  God's  good  pleasure,  I  have  been  so 

*  happy  that  I   have    hitherto  never  advis'd 

*  you  to  any  thing  which  has  not  succeeded 

*  to   your    advantage    and    honor ;    neither 

*  would  I  do  it  for  the  world,  my  own  life 

*  and  safety  not  being  dearer  to  me  than 
*your    preservation.     Seeing   then    (Gentle- 

*  men)  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  ever  to 

*  have  given  you  sound  and  useful  counsels  ; 
Met    me   beseech   you    to    retain    the    same 

*  opinion    of  me    now,   and    to   give    credit 

*  to  me  in  an  affair  of  so  great  importance 

*  as  this  that  presents  it  self  before  you, 
'with  which  your  judgements   seem   to   be 

*  very  much  perplex'd.  I  beg  of  you  with 
*joyn'd   hands,  and    in  the   name   of  God, 

*  that  of  all  things  you  take  heed  of  embruing 

*  your  hands  in  the  blood  of  your  Citizens 

*  till  the  truth  shall  be  fully  known  ;  neither 


320        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

can  it  possibly  be  long  conceal'd  :  'tis  to 
much  purpose  to  cover  the  fire,  the  smoak 
will  however  issue  out  ;  in  like  manner 
they  may  endeavour  to  mask  and  disguise 
this  practice,  but  the  truth  will  infallibly 
appear.  All  the  world  (and  I  beseech  you 
be  of  my  opinion)  cannot  make  me  believe, 
that  this  is  any  other  than  an  Artifice  and  a 
trick  of  the  Marquis,  who  having  found  that 
the  Lyon's  skin  will  do  him  no  good,  has 
therefore  put  on  that  of  the  Fox  the  better 
to  bring  about  his  design.  Which  to  do, 
he  had  no  better  nor  more  subtile  way 
than  by  Sowing  division  in  the  heart  of  your 
City.  And  which  way  could  he  better  do 
it  than  by  making  you  believe  there  are 
Traytors  among  you  and  within  your  own 
walls  }  Knowing  very  well  that  that  would 
make  you  not  only  to  imprison  such  sus- 
pected persons,  but  also  to  put  them  to  death, 
and  by  that  execution  to  set  discord  in 
your  City,  for  true  blood  cannot  lye.  The 
Parents  and  friends  of  the  sufferers  will 
bear  the  death  of  their  kindred,  though  it 
should  be  just,  with  great  sorrow  and 
discontent,  and  will  endeavour  to  revenge 
them  ;  by  which  means  behold  you  have 
created  so  many  domestick  enemies,  much 
more   dangerous  than  those   without,   and 


SIENA  321 

you  will  be  perplexed  about  the  death 
of  your  own  people  at  the  time  when 
you  meditate  that  of  your  open  and 
declared  foes.  See  then  (Gentlemen)  what 
joy,  what  satisfaction  and  delight,  you  will 
administer  to  your  enemies  when  they  shall 
know  that  you  busie  your  selves  about 
cutting  off  the  heads  of  your  own  Citizens, 
and  of  those  who  I  dare  say  and  swear  are 
innocent.  However  it  may  prove  to  be, 
the  expectation  of  the  truth  can  no  ways 
be  prejudicial  to  you,  for  you  have  them  in 
sure  hold  :  you  are  secure  of  your  prisoners, 
you  have  them  under  safe  custody.  I  will 
also  be  vigilant  on  my  part,  why  then  should 
you  make  such  haste  to  put  them  to  death  ? 
For  the  honor  of  God  believe  me  you  will 
not  repent  your  patience.  I  have  no  interest 
but  yours,  let  us  have  recourse  to  God  in  so 
great  a  necessity.  Command  that  all  your 
Clergy  to-morrow  ordein  a  general  Pro- 
cession throughout  the  whole  City,  and  let 
everyone  be  enjoyn'd  to  be  assisting  at  it, 
and  let  them  joyn  in  prayer  that  it  may 
please  God  to  do  us  that  Grace  as  to 
discover  to  us  the  truth  of  this  affair,  the 
treason,  if  treason  there  be,  and  the 
innocency  of  the  Prisoners,  if  there  be  none, 
I   assure   my  self  that  God  will   hear  us 

X 


322        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

*  and  you  will  soon  be  satisfied  of  the  truth, 

*  after   which   you    may    proceed    to  justice 

*  against  the  guilty  if  cause  require  :  but  to 

*  do  it  before,  and  in  heat  to  embrew  your 

*  hands  in  the  blood  of  your  Citizens,  with- 

*  out    having    maturely   weighed    every  cir- 
'  cumstance,  you   would  in    my  opinion  do 

*  very  ill,  and  bring  a  great  mischief  upon 

*  your  City.     Gentlemen,  the  sole  affection  I 
'  have    to    your    service,    your    safety,    and 

*  conservation,    has    made    me    speak    thus 

*  freely  to  you  without  any  other  consideration, 
'  and   I   once   more   most   earnestly  beseech 

*  you  to  grant  me  this  favour,  as  for  a  few 

*  dayes  to  supersede  your  sentence,  which  in 

*  the  mean  time  we  will  employ  in  prayers 

*  and  supplications,  that  God  will  please,  by 

*  manifesting  to  us  the  truth,  to  direct  our 
'justice.' 

I  had  no  sooner  ended  my  Speech,  but 
that  a  confused  murmur  arose  throughout 
the  whole  Hall,  some  saying  I,  and  others 
no,  for  there  will  be  evermore  some  opposers  ; 
but  in  the  end  my  advice  was  followed,  and 
presently  intimation  given  to  the  Churches 
and  to  all  the  people  to  prepare  themselves 
against  the  next  day  for  a  general  Procession, 
to  pray  unto  Almighty  God  ;  for  as  for 
fasting  we  had  enough   of  that  already.     I 


SIENA  323 

was  my  self  assisting  at  the  Procession,  and 
all  the  Captains  together  with  all  the  Gentle- 
men and  Ladies  of  the  City,  the  Kindred  of 
the  Prisoners  followed  weeping  :  and  to  be 
short,  all  the  whole  body  of  the  City  this 
day  and  the  day  following  were  in  humiliation 
and  prayer,  every  one  beseeching  of  God 
that  he  would  please  to  afford  us  that  grace, 
as  to  discover  the  truth  of  this  treason.  In 
the  meantime  I  slept  not,  for  all  the  night 
Signior  Cornelio  and  I  were  in  consulta- 
tion which  way  this  practice  of  the  Marquis 
could  be  set  on  foot.  I  consider'd  with 
my  self,  that  the  business  being  gone  thus 
far,  he  who  carried  on  the  designe  would  not 
rest  there,  and  that  the  Council  of  the  City 
would  not  be  kept  so  secret  that  the  Marquis 
would  not  infallibly  have  intelligence  of 
what  had  been  concluded,  there  being  ever- 
more some  tell-tales  in  these  great  Assemblies  ; 
and  then  very  well  knew  that  I  had  com- 
mitted an  error  in  so  openly  declaring  that 
I  was  assur'd  it  was  a  trick  of  the  Marquis, 
it  being  to  be  feared  that  it  would  make  him 
enter  into  some  jealousie  of  his  Agent. 
Now  because  it  was  likely  he  would  by  his 
Letters  and  Tickets  give  us  some  new  alarm, 
I  thought  fit  to  cause  certain  men  to  walk 
up   and   down  the  streets   of  the  City  by 


324        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

night,  after  the  most  private  manner  they 
could,  to  try  if  by  that  means  something 
might  not  be  brought  to  light,  and  after 
this  manner  caused  Centinel  to  be  made  two 
nights  together.  By  day  I  caused  the  people 
to  be  taken  up  with  Processions  in  their 
respective  Parishes,  and  when  any  of  the 
Signiory  came  to  tell  me  that  it  was  so  much 
time  lost,  and  that  they  must  proceed  to 
Justice,  I  entreated  them  to  have  patience, 
assuring  them  that  I  began  to  discover  some 
light  into  the  business  ;  for  it  was  necessary 
to  proceed  after  this  manner  to  restrain  the 
fury  of  the  people. 

Now  it  hapned  that  the  third  night  about 
midnight  this  Messer  Pedro  was  seen  to 
pass  by,  and  stopping  at  a  house,  put  his 
hand  to  a  Casement,  which  was  low  and 
hapned  to  be  shut,  and  one  of  the  three 
Letters  had  been  found  to  have  been  put 
into  a  low  v/indow  as  that  was.  He  then 
kneel'd  down,  and  under  the  door  put  in  the 
Letter  as  far  as  he  could  thrust  his  arm, 
which  having  done  he  went  his  way  along 
the  street.  A  Gentleman  who  lay  at  watch 
went  presently  after  him,  and  taking  him  by 
the  arm  said,  *  che  fiete  voi  }  '  to  whom  the 
other  reply ed, '  lo  sono  Messer  Piedro '  ( I  cannot 
remember  the  sir-name  of  this  Rascal)  the 


SIENA  325 

Gentleman  then  knew  him,  and  said  to  him 

*  dove  andate  ?  '  who  made  answer  *  me  ne  vo  a 

*  la  guardia^  to  which  the  Gentleman  return 'd, 
^adio  adio  '  ;  which  having  done  he  knockt, 
and  made  them  open  the  door,  where  he 
found  the  Letter  of  the  same  contents  with 
the  former.  He  then  immediately  went  and 
carried  it  to  the  Magistracy,  who  sent  me  two 
of  their  Council,  to  give  me  an  account  of 
the  whole  business,  and  those  two  went  and 
call'd  up  Signior  Cornelio,  who  came  along 
with  them  ;  where  amongst  us  it  was 
concluded  that  the  Gates  should  not  be 
open'd  in  the  morning,  nor  the  Guards  and 
Centinels  reliev'd,  till  he  was  first  taken  ; 
and  in  the  morning  Signior  Cornelio  went 
with  a  hundred  men  to  beset  the  house  both 
before  and  behind.  Signior  Cornelio  knew 
the  man,  and  so  soon  as  he  had  placed  his 
soldiers,  knockt  at  the  door,  where  he  found 
him  yet  in  bed,  and  presently  sent  me  word 
of  his  being  taken.  Whereupon,  the  time  of 
my  Dictatorship  being  expir'd,  I  made  use 
of  entreaties,  as  before,  requesting  the 
Senate  that  he  might  be  forthwith  put  upon 
the  Rack,  for  he  both  denied  the  Letter  and 
also  that  he  had  seen  the  Gentleman  of  all 
that  night.  As  he  was  upon  the  Rack  he 
begg'd   that   they   would   torment   him    no 


326        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

more,  for  he  would  confess  the  truth,  which 
he  did  from  point  to  point,  together  with 
the  Marquis  his  practices  to  set  division  in 
the  City.  Upon  which  confession  they 
would  in  the  heat  have  presently  hang'd  him 
at  the  windows  of  the  Palace  :  but  I  entreated 
them  not  to  do  it  yet,  and  so  he  v/as  clapt 
up  in  a  Dungeon.  I  then  entreated  the 
Captain  of  the  people  to  deliver  to  me  the 
three  Gentlemen  who  were  prisoners,  for 
that  I  had  a  desire  to  talk  with  them  at  my 
Lodging  ;  which  he  accordingly  did. 

They  were  brought  by  Signior  Cornelio 
and  Bartolomeo  Cavelcano,  and  so  soon  as 
they  were  come  to  my  Lodging  I  remon- 
strated  to    them,    '  that    they   ought  by   no 

*  means  to  stomach  their  imprisonments,  nor 

*  to  bear  the  Senate  any  ill  will  for  seising 

*  of  their  persons,  affairs   being  reduced  to 

*  such  terms   that    the  Father  ought  not  to 

*  trust  his  Son,  nor  the  Son  his  Father,  since 

*  it  concerned  no  less  than  their  lives  and 
'  fortunes,  and  that  therefore  I  desir'd  they 

*  would  go  to  the  Magistracy  to  give   them 

*  hearty  thanks  that  they  had  not  proceeded 

*  to  speedy  execution,  but  had  had  patience 

*  till  such  time   as   God  had  discover'd  the 

*  truth.'  They  return'd  me  answer  that  I 
should  pardon  them,  that  being  a  thing  they 


SIENA  327 

would  never  do  ;  neither  was  it  they  that 
had  saved  their  lives,  but  that  it  was  I,  and 
that  they  would  give  God  thanks  and  me  ; 
but  that  they  had  no  obligation  to  them  at 
all.  We  were  all  there  above  a  long  hour 
labouring  to  perswade  them,  where  I  remon- 
strated to  them  that  not  to  do  the  thing  I  re- 
quested of  them  was  to  accomplish  the  Marquis 
his  designe,  and  to  give  him  his  hearts  desire, 
which  was  that  they  should  remain  in  division 
and  mortal  hatred  ;  and  whatever  else  I 
could  contrive  to  say  that  might  any  way 
serve  to  perswade  them  to  go  I  represented 
to  their  consideration  to  pacific  and  appease 
them.  In  the  end  remembring  how  highly 
they  stood  obliged  to  me  for  the  saving  their 
lives,  they  promised  me  that  they  would  do  it, 
and  Signior  Cornelio  and  Messer  Bartolomeo 
at  my  request  went  along  with  them,  for  I 
was  afraid  they  might  repent  by  the  way  ; 
where  so  soon  as  they  came  before  the 
Magistracy,  one  of  them  spake  for  the  rest, 
remonstrating  their  innocency  and  the  wrong 
that  had  been  done  them  ;  which  neverthe- 
less they  would  no  more  remember,  consider- 
ing the  necessity  of  the  time  and  the  Estate 
of  the  City,  affectionately  beseeching  them 
to  esteem  them  for  their  good  Citizens  and 
friends,  and  loyal  to  the  Common-wealth  ; 


328        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

and  that  for  the  time  to  come  neither  they 
nor  their  posterity  might  have  any  blemish 
upon  their  names  upon  this  occasion,  they 
desired  they  would  please  to  grant  them 
Patents  seal'd  with  the  broad  Seal  for  their 
satisfaction.  The  Captain  of  the  people  then 
made  them  a  very  ample  Remonstrance, 
wherein  he  entreated  they  would  excuse  them, 
if  the  publick  safety  being  in  question  they 
had  been  constrain'd  to  shut  their  eyes  to 
particular  interests,  and  by  the  importance  of 
the  affair  had  been  constrain'd  to  be  so  severe 
in  their  inquisition  :  but  that  they  did 
acknowledge  and  esteem  them  to  be  good 
and  loyal  Citizens.  Whereupon  they  all  de- 
scended from  their  seats  and  embraced  them, 
and  as  Messer  Bartolomeo  told  me,  the 
most  of  them  with  tears  in  their  eyes  ;  and 
so  every  one  retired  to  his  own  house. 

Now  because  this  one-ey'd  Villain  was 
of  the  Order  of  the  People,  which  was  the 
greatest  party  in  the  Town,  and  wherein  was 
most  Soldiers,  I  was  afraid  that  should  they 
put  him  to  death  those  of  his  Order  might 
make  some  stir  in  the  Town  saying  that 
now  it  was  well  enough  known  of  what  Order 
the  Traitors  were,  which  might  occasion 
some  mutiny  or  sedition,  and  make  them  in 
the  end   betake   themselves  to  arms,  which 


SIENA  329 

was  the  reason  that  I  made  a  request  to  the 
Senate  to  give  me  his  life,  and  to  banish  him 
for  ever,  that  all  things  might  be  husht  up, 
and  that  the  Marquis  might  not  say  that  any 
of  his  policies  had  succeeded  any  more  than 
his  attempts  by  arms.  And  thus  were  all 
things  discovered  and  hudled  up,  for  the 
Senate  granted  my  request. 

I  have  often  since  wondered  how  I  came 
to  be  so  discreet  and  so  moderate  in  an 
affair  of  this  importance,  considering  how 
reasonable  it  was  that  an  exemple  should  be 
made  ;  but  it  would  peradventure  have  done 
more  hurt  than  good.  We  must  not  alwayes 
be  so  severe,  and  the  seeing  others  so  hot 
upon  blood  I  do  believe  made  me  a  little 
more  temperate.  And  you  (Gentlemen) 
who  have  the  charge  of  places,  do  not  suffer 
your  selves  to  be  transported  at  the  first 
appearance  of  things,  nor  upon  too  light 
information ;  consider  and  weigh  the  cir- 
cumstances, and  hinder  the  violence  of  the 
people  over  whom  you  command  by  one 
pretence  or  another,  as  I  did,  amusing  them 
with  Processions  ;  not  that  that  was  not 
nevertheless  well  done,  but  I  would  see  if 
time  would  make  any  discovery  ;  and  had  I 
suffered  these  men  to  have  been  put  to 
death,    their    kindred    might    perhaps    have 


330        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

been  prompted  with  some  spirit  of  revenge. 
Above  all  things  endeavour  to  preserve 
union  amongst  those  over  whom  you  shall 
happen  to  command,  as  1  did  in  this  City, 
where  all  was  accommodated  and  appeased. 
Consider  also  with  what  enemy  you  have  to 
do ;  for  you  may  well  imagine  that  he  will 
leave  no  stone  unremov'd  nor  no  artifice 
untri'd  to  set  division  in  your  City  ;  as  I 
have  formerly  read  in  Livie,  the  great 
Captain  Hannibal  did  to  sow  dissension 
amongst  the  Romans.  Your  wisdom  and 
prudence  (Governors  of  places)  must  dis- 
cern if  there  be  appearance  in  the  thing  ; 
whether  or  no  the  party  accused  be  a  man 
capable  of  practice,  or  have  any  means 
whereby  to  bring  his  purpose  about,  and 
whether  or  no  he  have  done  any  thing  any 
wayes  tending  to  such  a  design.  If  in 
apprehending  him  you  discover  any  confusion 
in  his  countenance  or  variation  in  his  answers. 
You  ought  in  this  to  be  very  circumspect 
and  discreet,  and  to  consider  that  there  is 
nothing  more  easie  than  to  calumniate  a 
man.  God  be  praised,  all  here  passed  with 
moderation,  and  the  Prisoners  with  their 
friends  came  to  give  me  thanks. 

Now  after  the  Marquis  saw  himself  dis- 
appointed of  his  expectation,  and  that  all  his 


SIENA  331 

plots  and  stratagems  came  to  nothing,  he 
sufFer'd  us  to  rest  in  peace,  not  expecting  to 
have  us  till  we  should  be  reduced  to  the 
last  morsel  of  bread ;  and  we  began  to  enter 
into  the  month  of  March,  when  we  were  in 
the  greatest  recessity  of  all  things  ;  for  of 
wine  there  had  not  been  one  drop  in  the 
whole  City  from  the  middle  of  February  : 
We  had  eaten  all  the  Horses,  Asses,  Mules, 
Cats,  and  Rats  that  were  in  the  Town.  Cats 
sold  for  three  and  four  Crowns  a  piece,  and  a 
Rat  for  a  Crown.  And  in  all  the  whole 
City  there  was  onely  remaining  four  old 
Mares,  so  lean  as  nothing  more,  which 
turned  the  Mills,  two  that  I  had,  the 
Controller  la  Moliere  his,  the  Treasurer 
I'Espine  another,  Signior  Cornelio  a  little 
Bay  pad-Nag  that  was  blind  with  age,  and 
Misser  Hieronimo  Hispano  a  Turk  of  above 
twenty  years  old.  These  were  all  the  Horses 
and  Mares  that  were  left  in  the  City  in 
this  extremity,  which  was  greater  than  I  can 
represent  it,  and  I  do  believe  there  is  not  in 
nature  so  dreadful  a  thing  as  Famine.  We 
had  from  Rome  some  hopes  sent  us  of 
succours,  and  that  the  King  was  sending  away 
the  Mareschal  de  Brissac  to  relieve  us,  which 
was  the  reason  that  we  again  lessened  our 
bread  to  twelve  ounces,  and  the  Soldiers  and 


332        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Citizens  of  the  Town  to  nine  :  whilst  in  the 
mean  time  by  little  and  little  we  lost  several 
Inhabitants  and  Soldiers,  who  fell  down  dead 
as  they  walked  the  streets,  so  that  they  died 
without  sickness.  At  last  the  Physicians 
found  it  out  that  it  was  the  Mallows  they 
fed  upon,  that  being  an  herb  that  does  relax 
the  stomach  and  obstructs  digestion.  Now 
we  had  no  other  herbs  all  along  the  walls  of 
the  City,  they  having  been  all  eaten  before  ; 
neither  could  we  come  by  these  without 
sallying  out  to  skirmish,  and  then  all  the 
women  and  children  of  the  Town  went  out 
to  gather  them.  But  1  saw  I  lost  so  many 
men  in  these  skirmishes  that  I  would  no 
more  permit  any  one  to  sally  out.  Now  to 
hear  any  more  news  of  the  Mareschal  de 
Brissac  was  henceforward  impossible,  for  the 
Trenches  were  brought  up  to  the  very 
Gates  of  the  City,  which  Trenches  the 
Marquis  had  also  redoubled  for  fear  we 
should  sally  out  upon  him  in  despair  and 
give  him  Battail,  as  the  Siennois  in  their 
antient  wars  had  formerly  done,  as  themselves 
report. 

In  this  condition  we  languished  on  till  the 
8th  of  April,  that  we  had  lost  all  manner  of 
hopes  of  relief,  and  then  it  was  that  the 
Siegneury  intreated  me  not  to  take  it  ill  if 


SIENA 


333 


they  began  to  think  of  their  preservation. 
When  seeing  there  was  no  other  remedy, 
unless  to  eat  one  another  ?  I  could  not 
deny  them,  cursing  to  the  pit  of  hell  all 
those  who  engage  men  of  honor  in  places, 
and  then  leave  them  in  the  lurch.  Yet  did 
I  not  herein  intend  to  speak  of  the  King, 
my  good  Master,  he  lov'd  me  too  well  for 
that  ;  but  those  who  gave  him  ill  counsels  to 
the  prejudice  of  his  affairs,  and  I  have  ever 
observ'd  more  evil  than  good  Counsellors 
about  Princes.  They  then  sent  out  one  of 
their  people  to  the  Marquis  to  entreat  of 
him  a  safe  conduct  for  two  of  their  Senate, 
whom  they  would  send  to  him,  which  he 
granted,  and  they  began  to  capitulate.  The 
Marquis  himself  did  very  much  facilitate  the 
Treaty,  and  they  began  to  enter  into  great 
confidence  of  him,  for  he  very  well  saw  that 
to  cause  the  City  to  be  sack'd  and  ruin'd 
would  be  no  profit,  neither  to  the  Emperor, 
nor  the  Duke  of  Florence,  and  would  only 
benefit  the  Soldier,  and  on  the  other  side  he 
fear'd  lest  if  the  Siennois  could  obtain  no 
good  conditions,  we  should  sally  out  upon 
him,  a  la  desesperade,  having  already  lost 
above  the  third  part  of  his  men,  who  were 
either  dead  through  the  length  of  the  Siege, 
or   run   away,   so   that    he   had   almost    no 


334        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Italians,  who  were  quarter'd  at  the  Fort  St 
Mark  ;  and  the  Marquis  had  remain'd  for 
above  amoneth  with  no  more  than  six  Ensigns 
for  the  Guard  of  his  own  person,  all  the  rest 
being  in  the  Trenches  ;  neither  could  he 
ever  relieve  them  with  more  than  ten  Ensigns, 
and  those  had  only  one  night  of  intermission, 
and  some  such  Guards  there  were  that  were 
not  reliev'd  in  six  days.  To  this  condition 
was  he  reduc'd  without,  as  well  as  we  within  ; 
neither  could  he  make  any  use  of  his  horse,  no 
more  than  Monsieur  de  Strozzy  could  of 
the  Cavalry  he  had,  by  reason  that  there  was 
no  manner  of  thing  upon  the  ground  to 
give  the  horses  to  eat  from  Montalsin  to 
Sienna  and  from  Sienna  to  Florence. 

I  will  now  give  an  account  of  my  self  after 
what  manner  I  liv'd.  I  had  no  manner  of 
advantage,  no  more  than  the  meanest 
Soldier,  and  my  bread  weighed  no  more 
than  twelve  ounces,  and  of  white  bread 
there  was  never  above  seven  or  eight  made, 
whereof  three  were  brought  to  my  Quarters, 
and  the  rest  v/ere  saved  for  some  Captain 
that  was  sick.  Neither  those  of  the  City 
nor  we  from  the  end  of  February  to  the 
22th  of  April  ever  eat  above  once  a  day  ; 
neither  did  I  ever  hear  so  much  as  any  one 
Soldier  complain,  and  I  can  assure  you  the 


SIENA  335 

Remonstrances  I  often  made  to  them  serv'd 
to  very  good  purpose  ;  for  if  they  would 
have  gone  over  to  the  Enemies  Camp  the 
Marquis  would  have  treated  them  very 
well  ;  for  the  Enemy  very  much  esteem'd 
our  Italian  and  French  Soldiers,  and  in  the 
skirmishes  that  had  happened  betwixt  us 
had  had  very  sufficient  tyral  of  their  valour. 
I  had  bought  thirty  hens  and  a  Cock  to  get 
me  eggs,  which  Signior  Cornelio,  the  Count 
de  Gayas,  and  I  eat,  for  we  all  three  constantly 
eat  together,  at  noon  in  one  place  and  in 
the  evening  at  another  ;  but  towards  the 
end  of  March  all  these  were  eaten,  the  Cock 
and  all.  'Twas  pitty  we  had  no  more  :  and 
so  I  remain'd  without  flesh  and  without 
eggs  and  had  nothing  to  eat  but  my  little 
loaf  with  a  few  pease  boyl'd  with  a  little 
Bacon  and  Mallows,  and  that  but  once  a  day 
only.  The  desire  I  had  to  acquire  honor, 
and  to  put  this  bafflle  upon  the  Emperor, 
so  long  to  have  held  his  Army  in  play, 
made  me  find  this  so  sweet  that  it  was  no 
trouble  to  me  to  fast  :  and  this  pittiful  supper 
with  a  bit  of  bread  was  a  feast  to  me,  when 
returning  from  some  skirmish  I  knew  the 
Enemy  to  be  well  drub'd,  or  that  I  knew 
them  to  suffer  under  the  same  necessities 
we  did. 


336        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

But  to  return  to  the  Capitulation  ;  the 
Marquis  sent  to  the  Duke  of  Florence,  and 
Don  Juan  Manricou,  who  was  Embassador 
from  the  Emperor  to  the  Pope,  and  resided 
at  Florence  by  reason  of  the  Siege  ;  where- 
upon the  said  Duke  sending  a  safe  conduct, 
the  Siennois  also  sent  to  the  Pope  (which 
was  Pope  Julio,  who  died  two  or  three  days 
after)  from  whom  they  received  a  very 
scurvy  answer,  he  reproaching  them  with 
their  obstinacy,  and  commanding  them  to 
submit  to  the  Duke  of  Florence  his  mercy 
without  any  condition.  He  was  a  terrible 
Pope  :  but  the  Duke  proceeded  after  a  more 
modest  and  courteous  manner,  as  a  Prince 
ought  to  do,  who  would  gain  the  hearts 
of  a  people,  and  indeed  he  was  one  of  the 
greatest  Politicians  of  our  times.  It  behooved 
him  so  to  be  to  establish  his  Principality, 
in  the  time  of  two  of  the  greatest  and  most 
ambitious  Princes  that  ever  were,  who  had 
both  of  them  a  great  mind  to  get  footing 
in  Italy.  But  the  Spaniard  was  more  subtle 
than  we,  and  this  Duke  manag'd  his  business 
very  well ;  his  name  was  Cosmo,  and  1 
believe  he  is  yet  living.  In  the  mean  time 
Commissioners  for  eight  daies  together  went 
and  came  betwixt  Florence  and  the  Camp, 
and  upon    Monday  night    the    Capitulation 


SIENA 


ZZ7 


was  brought  to  Sienna,  and  the  morning 
before  the  Marquis  had  sent  a  Trumpet  to 
me,  entreating  1  would  send  two  Gentlemen 
out  to  him  in  whom  I  might  confide,  he 
having  something  to  say  to  them  that  he 
desired  I  should  know,  and  that  he  was 
come  to  St  Lazare  to  that  eiFect.  I  there- 
upon sent  out  to  him  Signior  Cornelio  and 
Captain  Charry,  who  being  come  to  him,  he 
there  acquainted  them  with  the  terms  of  the 
Capitulation  which  would  that  night  be 
brought  to  the  City,  and  that  amongst 
other  things  there  was  one  Article  which 
exprest  that  the  Sieur  de  Montluc  with  his 
Italian  and  French  Companies,  and  all  the 
Officers  of  the  King,  should  march  out  with 
Bag  and  Baggage,  Colours  flying,  Drums 
beating,  with  match  lighted,  and  Bullet  in 
mouth  :  but  that  this  Article  would  do  me 
no  good,  forasmuch  as  we  did  not  belong 
to  the  Siennois,  but  to  the  King  ot  France  ; 
and  being  we  did  not  belong  to  them,  they 
consequently  had  no  power  to  capitulate  for 
us  ;  that  therefore  I  was  myself  to  capitulate 
in  the  name  of  the'  King  my  Master,  which 
if  I  thought  fit  to  do,  he  assur'd  me  I  should 
have  what  conditions  soever  I  would  demand, 
and  that  his  service  to  the  Emperor  excepted, 
he  would  do  as  much  for  me  as  for  the 


338        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Cardinal  his  Brother  :  that  he  and  I  were 
two  poor  Gentlemen,  who  by  our  Arms 
were  arrived  to  such  degrees  of  honor  that 
the  greatest  both  of  France  and  Italy  would 
be  glad  to  have  our  places,  telling  them 
withal  he  would  there  stay  to  expect  my 
answer.  They  found  me  at  Porto  Novo 
walking  with  Messer  Hieronimo  Espanos, 
where,  after  I  had  received  his  Message,  I 
bad  them  go  back  and  tell  him  that  I  very 
well  knew  he  had  read  the  Roman  History 
wherein  he  might  have  taken  notice  that  in 
the  times  of  the  antient  warlike  Romans 
they  had  sent  one  of  their  Colonies  to 
inhabit  Gascony,  near  to  the  Pyrhenean 
Mountains,  of  which  Province  I  was  a 
Native,  and  that  if  he  would  not  content 
himself  that  the  Siennois  had  comprized 
me  in  their  Capitulation  I  would  at  my 
coming  out  let  him  see  that  I  was  descended 
from  those  warlike  Romans  who  would 
rather  have  lost  a  thousand  lives,  could  they 
have  had  so  many  to  lose,  than  an  inch  of 
their  honor  :  that  I  had  rather  the  Siennois 
should  capitulate  for  me,  than  I  for  them, 
and  that  for  my  part  the  name  of  Montluc 
should  never  be  found  subscrib'd  to  a 
Capitulation.  They  then  return'd  to  him, 
to    whom    having    repeated    my  answer,  he 


SIENA  339 

said  to  them  in  Italian.  '  Che  vol  dir  questo  ? 
^  mi  pare  che  vol  jocar  a  la  desperata.  Altre 
'  volte  to  rose  due  forteresse  con  ragone^  ne  per 

*  questo  ne  sui  maj  represso  de  r Imperatore,  ^  no 

*  resta  su  Majesty  a  servir  si  di  me.'  Signior 
Cornelio  then  told  him  that  I  was  positive 
in  this  determination  and  would  rather 
put  all  to  the  hazard  of  the  sword  than 
to   the    hazard   of    a    Capitulation.     *Well 

*  then '    said   he,  *  recommend   me   to  him, 

*  and  tell  him  I  will  let  him  see  that  I  am 
'  his    friend,    and    that    he    may   march    out 

*  in  all    assurance  upon  the  Capitulation  of 

*  the    Sennois,   or    after   what    manner    he 

*  pleases  himself  ;  and  so  they  return'd. 

Oh  Camrades,  you  have  here  a  fair 
exemple  before  you,  when  you  shall  find 
your  selves  in  such  an  affair,  never  to 
discover  any  fear,  for  nothing  in  the  world 
so  much  startles  an  Enemy  as  to  see  the  Chief 
with  whom  he  has  to  do  to  be  undaunted 
in  all  extremities,  and  that  he  gives  him  to 
understand  he  will  rather  run  the  hazard  of 
a  Fight  than  a  Capitulation  ;  nothing  so 
much  puzzels  him  as  that,  besides  the 
encouragement  it  gives  to  your  own  people. 
I  was  as  much  afraid  as  another,  seeing  my 
self  so  desperately  engag'd,  and  no  news  of 
any  relief,  neither  of  victuals  nor  men  :  but 


340        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

ask  any  one  who  is  yet  living  whether  they 
ever  saw  me  any  more  dejected  than  the 
first  day  I  came  into  the  City.  And  at  the 
last  of  all,  when  we  were  reduc't  to  the 
extremest  necessity  of  all  things,  I  was  more 
resolute  to  fight  than  before,  which  I  believe 
conduced  much  to  the  obtaining  of  so  good 
conditions  both  for  the  Sennois  and  for  us, 
as  we  could  have  had,  had  we  capitulated 
the  first  day  the  Enemy  sat  down  before  us. 
Late  at  night  came  the  Capitulation,  and 
upon  Tuesday  morning  four  of  the  Senate 
brought  it  to  me,  wherein  I  found  an 
Article  that  every  one  of  what  mean 
condition  soever  should  go  out  with  Bag 
and  Baggage,  their  wives  and  children,  who 
had  a  mind  to  depart  the  City,  except  the 
Exiles  and  Rebels  to  the  State  of  the 
Emperor,  the  King  of  England  (which  was 
King  Philip),  and  the  Duke  of  Florence. 
I  then  very  well  understood  that  this 
Article  would  fall  heavy  upon  the  poor 
Florentines  who  were  with  us  in  the  City, 
and  who  had  been  banisht  upon  Monsieur 
de  Strozzy's  account.  There  were  also 
Neapolitans,  and  Millanois  ;  so  that  I  there 
clearly  saw  above  a  hundred  men  thrown  away, 
and  their  heads  surrendered  to  the  Scaffold, 
which    made    me    desire    the    Senators    to 


SIENA  341 

return,  and  that  In  an  hour  1  would  come 
to  them  to  the  Palace,  and  shew  them  the 
deceit  that  was  couched  in  their  Capitulation, 
entreating  them  in  the  mean  time  speedily 
there  to  assemble  all  the  principal  members 
of  the  City,  which  they  did,  and  I  took 
along  with  me  Signior  Cornelio  and 
Bartolomeo  Cavalcano  who  was  ready  to 
die  for  fear  when  he  understood  my  pro- 
position, for  he  was  a  Florentine  ;  where 
being  come  I  made  to  them  this  Remon- 
strance. 

*  Gentlemen,  I  have  seen  your  Capitulation, 

*  which  tends  rather  to   the  cutting  off  of 

*  your  heads  than  to  any  indemnity  for  your 
'  Lives  and   Estates.     You  have  there   one 

*  Article  that  every  one  generally  shall  enjoy 

*  the  benefit  of  the  Capitulation,  their  Lives 
'  and  Estates  saved,   excepting  such  as   are 

*  Rebels    to    the     Emperor,    the    King    of 

*  England,  and  the  Duke  of  Florence.     Now 

*  you  know  very  well  that  the  Emperor  has 

*  caused  you  all  to  be  declared  Rebels  in  his 

*  Imperial  Chamber,  as  Subjects  of  the 
'  Empire,   for    having  rebelled  against  him. 

*  By  which  you  see  you  are  declared  Subjects, 

*  and  you  say  you  are  not  Subjects,  but  only 

*  stand  in  recommendation  to  the  Empire. 
'  The  dispute  is  not  yet  determined,  whether 


342        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

*you    are    Subjects    or    recommended,    and 

*  when  the  Enemy  shall  once  be  got  within 

*  your  walls,  and  that  you  are  in  their  power, 

*  what  Judges  will  you  have  to  determine  of 

*  the    Question,  except    the    Hangman    and 

*  with  your  heads,  for  it  will  certainly  be  by 

*  that  way  that  they  will  go  about  to  assert 

*  their  title.  Behold  then  you  will  all  be 
'  put  to  death,  your  Estates  confiscate,  and 

*  your  Wives   and   Children   a  prey  to   the 

*  Conqueror,     As  for  me  and    the  Soldiers, 

*  they  will    permit    us  safely  to    depart,  for 

*  Soldiers  pass  in  all  places,  and  even  better 

*  cheap  than  other  sorts  of  men.    They  know 

*  we  have  nothing  to  lose  but  our  Arms,  and 

*  that   we    are  bound   to   obey  our   Prince  ; 

*  should   they   offer    any  outrage  to    us   we 

*  shall  have  our  revenge  in  turn  at  one  time 
'  or  another,  for  men  do  sooner  meet  than 
'  mountains  :     But  all  the  mischief  will  fall 

*  upon     you,    considering    the    hatred    the 

*  Emperor   and    the    Duke    have    conceiv'd 

*  against  you.  A  Prince  rarely  pardons 
'  Subjects    who    have    once    rebelled    against 

*  him  ;  but  if  ever  he  can  pick  a  hole  in  their 

*  coats  he  will  be  sure  to  take  hold  of  the 
'  occasion.  Since  then  we  have  so  long 
'  liv'd  together,  without  ever  having  so  much 
'  as   one  unkind  word  pass  betwixt  us,  and 


SIENA  343 

*  that    I    have    receiv'd    so   many  honors   at 

*  your  hands,  if  you  will  take  my  advice  we 

*  will  make  the  Marquis  think  of  something 

*  he   never  thought  of  yet,  that   is   we  will 

*  sally  out  with  our  weapons  in  our  hands  to 
'  the    fight    and    give    him   battail,    and    we 

*  ought  to  believe  that   God  will  be  on  our 

*  side   and  assist  us,  considering  the  cruelty 

*  they  would  exercise   upon  you.     For   my 
'own  part,  I   freely  offer  you   my  life  and 

*  those  of  all  my  Captains  and  Soldiers  to  die 

*  with  you,  that  as  we  have  liv'd,  so  we  may 

*  die   together,  rather   than   to   see   you   so 
'basely    betray'd    and    sold    to    slaughter. 

*  Credete  h  me,   h   me  dico  che  son  vechio,  &' 

*  a  cut  sono  pessate  molte  cose  inanti  It  occhi.' 

Now  I  knew  very  well  that  this  exception 
did  not  point  at  the  Siennois,  but  only  at 
those  I  nam'd  before,  so  that  this  was  only 
a  device  of  mine  to  make  the  Siennois 
engage  with  us  in  the  fight,  for  I  had  rather 
have  put  all  to  the  hazard  of  the  sword 
then  that  any  one  of  those  who  were  within 
with  us  and  who  upon  my  account  had  been 
obstinate  in  the  defence  of  the  City  should 
be  lost.  They  took  it  however  for  current 
pay,  and  after  I  was  departed  from  them, 
all  of  them  resolv'd  to  fight  it  out  to  the 
last  man.     1  then  presently  sent  them  word 


344        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

what  they  were  to  do,  which  was  that  the 
Standard-bearer  should  command  all  their 
Powder  to  be  refined,  their  Swords,  Halberts, 
and  Pike-heads  to  be  scowr'd  and  ground  : 
that  upon  pain  of  Death  every  one  who  was 
able  to  bear  arms  should  be  ready  in  two 
days,  and  that  the  Priests  and  Religieux,  who 
had  taken  arms  for  the  defence  of  the  Town 
at  the  Battery,  should  now  take  them  again 
under  the  same  Captains  they  did  before  ; 
insomuch  that  I  do  believe  that  for  two  or 
three  days  so  great  a  bustle  in  the  City  had 
never  been  seen.  The  two  Deputies  here- 
upon of  the  Duke  of  Florence  and  the 
Marquis,  who  had  safe  conduct  into  the  City, 
return'd  about  three  of  the  clock  in  the 
afternoon  back  to  the  Marquis,  where  they 
shew'd  him  this  Article,  which  had  put  not 
only  the  whole  City  but  also  the  Soldiers 
into  despair  of  fair  Quarter,  telling  him  how 
we  were  all  resolv'd  and  by  what  means  they 
came  to  understand  the  hubub  and  prepara- 
tion that  was  making  in  the  City  to  give  him 
Battel,  which  was  the  reason  that  he  sent  all 
night  to  the  Duke  of  Florence  and  Don 
Juan  Manricou,  whom  I  since  saw  with  the 
Queen  of  Spain  at  Bayonne,  giving  them  an 
account  how  all  things  stood,  and  entreating 
them    withal   that   since  he    was   now  upon 


SIENA 


345 


the  point  to  have  the  Town  surrendered  to 
him  they  would  not  for  this  one  Article 
put  him  in  danger  of  losing  all  ;  but 
consider  that  he  had  to  do  with  a  great 
Captain  and  an  old  Soldier,  commending 
me  more  than  I  deserv'd  :  that  as  them- 
selves very  well  knew  he  had  lost  near 
upon  the  one  half  of  his  Army,  and  had 
a  great  many  sick  of  those  he  had  left,  and 
that  he  had  not  twenty  Horse,  there  being 
nothing  upon  the  place  to  support  them, 
nor  any  means  by  which  to  bring  them 
away  from  other  places  ;  and  that  they 
would  do  well  to  weigh  and  consider  of 
this  affair,  for  as  for  his  part,  he  must 
discharge  himself  upon  them,  if  any  thing 
fell  out  amiss.  So  soon  then  as  the  Duke 
of  Florence  and  Don  Juan  saw  the  Siennois 
resolution,  they  dispatch'd  to  him  le 
Cousignou,  the  Duke's  chief  Secretary,  with 
a  Blank  to  put  in  whatever  we  would 
demand,  for  he  stood  upon  thorns  till  he 
was  Master  of  the  City.  It  was  upon 
Wednesday  morning  that  the  Cousignou 
came  to  the  Camp,  when  the  said  Marquis 
sent  for  the  two  Deputies,  who  had  been 
on  Tuesday  night  return'd  into  the  City, 
where  they  inserted  in  the  Articles  that  all 
those  who  had  been  banish'd,  and  Rebels  of 


346        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  State  of  the  Emperor,  Empire,  and  Duke 
of  Florence,  should  go  out  in  all  security, 
as  well  as  the  rest,  and  in  this  posture 
we  remain'd  till  Sunday  morning  the  22 
of  April,  that  we  went  out  in  the  order 
following  : 

Before  anyone  of  us  stirr'd  out  of  the  Town, 
I  restor'd  the  Citadel  and  the  Fort  Camoglia 
into  the  hands  of  the  Siennois,  where  they 
put  an  Ensign  of  the  City  into  each,  as  I 
also  made  them  to  place  an  Ensign  at  every 
Gate  of  the  City  that  stood  open,  which 
being  done,  I  returned  to  Porto  Novo.  The 
Marquis  had  planted  all  his  Spanish  foot 
all  along  the  street  that  leads  to  S.  Lazaro, 
on  both  sides  the  street,  his  Germans  were 
drawn  up  in  Battalia  a  little  on  the  right 
hand  in  a  Camp,  and  at  S.  Lazaro  was 
Signior  Cabry  his  Nephew  with  fifty  or 
threescore  horse,  which  was  all  they  could 
make  (as  I  have  said  before),  and  three 
hundred  Italian  Harquebuzeers,  which  they 
had  drawn  out  of  the  Forts  of  Camolia  and 
S.  Mark  and  was  the  Convoy  the  Marquis 
had  appointed  to  conduct  us,  Signior 
Cornelio  then,  and  the  Count  de  Gayas, 
arm'd  at  all  points,  with  their  Pikes 
shouldred  went  out  side  by  side,  with  a 
Company  of  Harquebuzeers   at  their  heels, 


SIENA  347 

after  them  went  out  two  Captains  at  the 
head  of  the  Pikes,  amongst  whom  were  a 
great  Company  of  Corslets,  and  in  the 
middle  of  the  Pikes,  the  Ensigns  display'd 
and  advanc'd,  and  in  the  reer  of  them  the 
rest  of  the  Harquebuzeers,  with  two  Captains 
in  their  reer.  1  had  overnight  sent  to 
the  Marquis  that  he  would  be  so  civil 
to  the  ancient  women  and  children  who  were 
to  go  out  with  us  as  to  lend  them  forty  or 
fifty  of  his  carriage  Mules  ;  which  he  did, 
and  which  before  I  went  out  I  distributed 
amongst  the  Siennois,  who  put  upon  them 
the  ancient  women  and  some  children  in  their 
laps.  All  the  rest  were  on  foot,  where  there 
were  above  an  hundred  Virgins  following 
their  Fathers  and  Mothers,  and  women  who 
carried  cradles  with  Infants  in  them  upon 
their  heads,  and  you  might  have  seen  several 
men  leading  their  daughter  in  one  hand  and 
their  wife  in  the  other,  and  they  were 
numbered  to  above  eight  hundred  men, 
women,  and  children.  I  had  seen  a  sad 
parting  at  the  turning  out  the  useless 
mouths  ;  but  I  saw  as  sad  a  one  at  the 
separation  of  those  who  went  out  with  us 
and  who  remain'd  behind.  In  my  life  I  never 
saw  so  sad  a  farwel  ;  so  that  although  our 
Soldiers  had  in  their  own  persons  suffer 'd  to 


348        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

the  last  extremes,  yet  did  they  Infinitely 
regret  this  woful  parting,  and  that  they  had 
not  the  power  to  defend  the  liberty  of  these 
people,  and  I  more  than  all  the  rest,  who 
could  not  without  tears  behold  this  misery 
and  desolation  of  a  people  who  had  mani- 
fested themselves  so  devout  for  the  conserva- 
tion of  their  liberty  and  honor.  So  soon  as 
Signior  Cornelio  was  gone  out,  all  the 
Italians  follow'd,  and  the  Citizens  in  the  rear 
of  the  Italians.  Then  at  the  head  of  our 
French  went  out  S.  Auban  and  Lussan 
arm'd,  with  pikes  upon  their  shoulders,  and 
a  Company  of  Harquebuzeers  after  them, 
two  Captains  at  the  head  of  the  Pikes,  with 
another  company  of  Harquebuzeers  led 
by  Charry  and  Blacon,  having  each  of  them 
a  Halbert  in  his  hand,  and  the  Ensigns  in 
the  middle  of  the  Pikes,  after  the  same 
manner  the  Italians  had  past  before.  After 
these  I  went  out  arm'd,  and  Messer 
Hieronimo  Espanos  side  by  side  with  me, 
for  I  was  afraid  they  would  have  seiz'd  upon 
him,  he  having  been  a  principal  Actor  in  the 
revolt  of  the  City.  He  was  mounted  upon 
an  old  Turk,  and  I  upon  another,  miserably 
lean  and  haggled  out,  notwithstanding  which 
I  set  a  good  face  on  the  matter  and  made  the 
best    meen    I    could,     I    left    two    Siennois 


SIENA  349 

Ensigns  at  the  Gate,  entreating  them  to  clap 
to  the  Gate  immediately  after  me,  and  not  to 
open  it  till  the  Marquis  himself  came.  The 
said  Marquis  rid  up  and  down,  and  Signior 
Chiapino  Vitelli  with  him  through  all  the 
files,  to  take  care  that  no  one  meddled  with 
the  Siennois,  for  as  to  our  Baggage,  it  was  so 
little  as  it  made  no  number.  The  Spanish 
Camp-Masters  then  came  to  salute  me,  and 
all  their  Captains.  The  Camp-Masters 
alighted  not,  but  all  the  Captains  did,  and 
came  to  embrace  my  knee,  after  which  they 
again  mounted  on  horseback  and  accom- 
panied me  till  we  came  to  the  Marquis  and 
Signior  Chiapino,  which  might  be  about  300 
paces  from  the  Gate,  where  we  embrac'd,  and 
they  plac'd  me  betwixt  them.  After  this 
manner  we  pass'd  on  discoursing  all  the  way 
of  the  siege,  and  the  particularities  had 
hapned  upon  it,  attributing  much  honor  to 
us,  the  Marquis  particularly  saying  that  he 
had  great  obligation  to  me,  for  that  besides  he 
had  learn 'd  several  stratagems  of  War,  I 
was  the  cause  he  had  been  cur'd  of  his  Gout  ; 
telling  me  the  fear  that  both  he  and  the 
Emperor's  Gentleman  had  been  in,  which 
did  not  pass  without  much  laughter  :  Where- 
upon I  told  him  that  he  had  put  me  into 
a   much   greater   fright    the    night   of    the 


350        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

Scalado,  and  yet  that  I  was  not  for  all  that 
cur'd  of  my  feaver  ;  adding  moreover,  that  he 
had  done  very  ill  to  come  upon  me,  as  the 
Jews  did  to  take  our  Lord,  for  he  brought 
along  with  him  Lanthorns  and  Torches, 
which  gave  me  a  great  advantage  :  to  which 
he  reply 'd  bowing  his  head  (for  he  was  a 
very  courteous  Gentleman)  '  Signior^  un  attre 
'■volte fero piu  savio.''  I  then  told  him  that 
had  he  continued  his  Battery,  he  would  have 
had  no  very  good  bargain  of  us  ;  for  the 
Gascons  were  an  obstinate  people,  but  that 
they  were  flesh  and  bone  as  other  men  were, 
and  must  eat.  With  this  and  other  discourse 
of  the  same  nature  we  entertain'd  our  selves 
till  we  were  got  a  mile  beyond  S.  Lazaro, 
and  there  the  Marquis  bad  Signior  Chiapino 
Vitelli  go  to  the  head  of  our  people  and 
speak  to  Signior  Cabry,  to  take  care  there 
should  be  no  disorder,  and  that  if  any  one 
offer'd  to  take  any  thing  from  us  he  should 
kill  all  such  as  should  attempt  it,  and  that  he 
should  give  the  same  command  to  the  Captain 
of  the  three  hundred  Harquebuzeers.  So 
soon  as  Signior  Chiapino  was  gone  from  us, 
the  Marquis  embracing  me  in  his  arms  said 
these  words  in  as  good  French  as  I  could 
have  spoke  my  self.  *  Adieu  Monsieur  de 
'  Montluc,  I  pray  present  my  most  humble 


SIENA  351 

'service  to  the  King  and  assure  him 
*that  I  am  his  most  humble  and 
'affectionate  servant,  as  much  (my  honor 
*safe)  as  any  Gentleman  in  Italy,'  I  then 
return'd  him  thanks  for  the  good 
inclination  he  had  towards  the  King,  and  the 
courtesies  1  had  receiv'd  at  his  hands,  which 
I  would  proclaim  in  all  places  wherever  I 
should  come,  and  when  it  should  ever  lie  in 
my  power  to  do  him  service  would  requite. 
He  offer'd  me  the  same,  and  so  we  fell  to 
embrace  again.  He  had  then  no  more  than 
four  or  five  horse  with  him,  they  being  all 
behind  in  the  same  order  he  had  left  them, 
and  so  he  return'd  back  towards  the  City, 
and  soon  after  Signior  Chiapino  Vitelli 
return'd,  where  we  also  embrac'd  and 
parted. 

We  then  went  to  Arbierroute,  a  little 
Village  upon  the  Tresse,  or  else  the  River 
it  self  is  call'd  Arbie,  and  there  we  found 
eighteen  Asses  loaden  with  bread,  which  the 
Marquis  had  sent  thither  to  distribute 
amongst  us  upon  the  way  ;  of  which  one  part 
I  gave  to  the  Siennois,  another  to  the 
Italians,  and  the  third  to  the  French.  To 
do  which,  as  I  pass'd  through  the  Spaniards, 
I  saw  that  the  Soldiers  had  also  purposely 
brought    bread    along    with    them    to    give 


352        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

to  our  people.  I  dare  boldly  say,  and  that 
by  the  testimony  of  those  who  were  then 
with  me,  that  this  bread  sav'd  the  lives 
of  two  hundred  persons,  and  there  are  many 
who  will  affirm  that  it  sav'd  the  lives  of  four 
hundred,  and  yet  could  it  not  go  so  far 
that  there  was  not  above  fifty  who  dy'd 
that  very  day ;  for  we  had  been  from 
Wednesday  till  Sunday  without  eating  any 
more  than  six  ounces  of  Biscuit  a  day  a 
man  ;  and  upon  the  Thursday,  of  two 
horses  I  had,  I  kill'd  one  that  would  now 
be  worth  900  Crowns,  he  was  then  indeed 
very  lean,  which  I  divided  amongst  the 
Italian  and  French  Companies,  causing  all 
the  oyl  to  be  taken  out  of  the  Lamps  in  the 
Churches,  which  I  likewise  divided  amongst 
the  Souldiers,  who  with  Mallows  and  Nettles 
boil'd  this  flesh  and  oyl  and  so  sustein'd 
themselves  till  Sunday  morning  when  not  a 
man  amongst  us  at  our  going  out,  had  eaten  one 
bit  of  any  thing  in  the  world  ?  The  Marquis 
also  caus'd  four  Borachio's  of  wine  to  be 
brought  for  me,  together  with  five  or  six 
loaves  of  white  bread,  and  so  soon  as  we 
came  to  Arbierroute  we  halted  and  under 
some  Sallows  that  were  by  the  River  side, 
eat  our  bread.  I  gave  two  of  my  Bottles 
of  Wine  to  the  Siennois,  the  other  two  we 


SIENA 


353 


drank  our  selves,  each  one  a  little,  and  after- 
wards went  on  our  way  directly  towards  Mon- 
talsin,  when  so  soon  as  we  came  to  Boncon- 
vent,  Signior  Cabry  made  the  foot  Convoy  to 
return  :  but  till  he  saw  Monsieur  de  Strozzy, 
who  came  out  with  a  party  of  horse  to  meet 
us,  would  himself  never  leave  us  ;  and  then 
he  bade  me  farwel,  taking  me  in  his  arms, 
as  he  did  Signior  Cornelio,  the  Count  de 
Gayas,  and  all  our  Captains,  for  he  was  a 
very  worthy  Gentleman  and  a  brave  Soldier 
as  any  they  had  in  their  Camp.  So  soon 
as  we  came  up  to  Monsieur  de  Strozzy, 
we  embrac'd  without  being  able  either  of  us 
to  utter  one  word  ;  neither  am  I  able  to  say 
which  of  us  had  his  heart  the  most  full  of  the 
remembrance  of  our  fortunes.  In  this 
manner  then,  nothing  but  skin  and  bone, 
and  more  like  Ghosts  than  men,  we  arriv'd 
at  Montalsin,  which  was  upon  Sunday,  and 
all  Monday  and  Tuesday  we  were  shut  up 
with  the  Treasurers  and  Comptrollers,  to 
examine  and  state  our  accompts,  and  to  see 
what  I  had  borrow'd  to  lend  the  Souldiers, 
where  we  found  that  the  King  was  four 
months  to  us  in  arrear,  and  Monsieur  de 
Strozzy  gave  me  500  Crowns  of  his  own 
money  to  carry  me  into  France.  1  dare 
sware  he  had   not  half  so  much  more  left  ; 


354        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

for  Signior  Cornelio  and  I  had  been  con- 
strain'd  to  borrow  400  Crowns  to  disengage 
his  great  Order,  which  he  had  pawn'd  to  a 
Jew  at  the  beginning  when  he  came  to 
Sienna.  I  would  afterwards  have  restor'd 
it  to  him,  and  namely  at  Thionville, 
though  he  would  never  receive  it,  but 
laugh'd  at  me  ;  and  this  was  the  end  of 
the  Siege. 

^  ^  2f^  ^  ^ 

I  know  very  well  (Gentlemen)  that  many 
of  you  will  take  delight  in  what  I  have  to 
say  to  you  concerning  the  Government  and 
Conservation  of  places,  and  that  others  will 
make  little  account  of  it,  forasmuch  as  there 
are  a  sort  of  people  so  good  natur'd  as  to 
think  they  know  all  things  of  themselves, 
and  nothing  value  the  knowledge  and 
experience  of  other  men,  as  if  God  had 
sent  them  into  the  world  like  S.  John 
Baptist,  inspir'd  from  their  Mothers  wombs. 
Which  is  the  reason  we  are  not  to  wonder, 
that  so  many  fall  into  mishaps  ;  for  their 
own  arrogancy  and  self  conceit  leads  them 
by  the  hand  till  they  come  to  a  Precipice, 
from  whence  they  tumble  headlong  from  the 
top  to  the  bottom  with  so  great  a  fall  that 
they  are  never  able  to  to  rise  again.  Yet  was 
this   nothing,    if  the   fall   hurt    nobody  but 


SIENA  2,s5 

themselves  ;  but  the  King  and  his  people 
suffer  also  by  it.  Do  not  then  disdain  to  learn, 
and  although  you  may  have  great  experience 
of  your  own,  yet  can  it  do  you  no  great  harm 
to  hear  and  read  the  discourses  of  old  Captains. 
When  I  was  but  five  and  twenty  years  old 
I  took  more  pleasure  in  hearing  an  old 
Soldier  talk  than  ever  1  did  to  sit  and  chat 
with  the  finest  woman  that  ever  I  was  in 
love  with  in  my  life  ;  therefore  I  beseech 
you  take  a  little  notice  of  what  I  am  going 
to  say. 

When  your  Prince  shall  give  you  a  place  to 
keep,  you  are  to  consider  three  things  ;  first 
the  honor  he  does  you  in  reposing  so  much 
confidence  in  your  valour  and  wisdom,  as 
amongst  others  to  make  choice  of  you  to 
entrust  with  a  Command  of  that  importance. 
Wherein  the  honor  he  does  you  is  no  little 
one,  forasmuch  as  he  does  not  only  honor 
you  in  your  own  person,  but  moreover  sets  a 
mark  of  reputation  upon  your  whole  race,  by 
entrusting  in  your  hands  a  Key  of  his  Kingdom 
or  some  City  of  very  great  importance  to  him 
as  this  was,  the  Siege  whereof  I  have  related 
to  you.  This  honor,  I  say,  that  he  does  you 
draws  so  long  a  train  after  it  that  your 
renown  does  not  only  spread  it  self  through 
the  whole  Kingdom  from  whence  you  come. 


2S6        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

and  the  Countreys  adjoyning  to  the  place 
you  defend,  but  moreover  throughout  the 
whole  world.  Every  body  is  curious  to 
enquire  who  does  well  or  ill,  and  who  is  a 
good  or  bad  Commander  ;  nay,  although  we 
have  no  concern  in  the  affair,  yet  are  we 
evermore  inquisitive  after  news,  for  such  is 
the  nature  of  man  :  by  which  means  thorow 
all  Foreign  Nations  your  name  will  be  for 
ever  known,  either  to  honour  or  infamy. 
For  whatever  is  done,  is  committed  to 
History,  without  which  the  greatest  part  of 
men  or  Honor  would  not  care  for  acquiring 
renown,  it  costs  so  very  dear.  Never  did 
any  man  ever  purchase  it  upon  harder  terms 
than  I  ;  but  the  laudable  desire  we  have  to 
perpetuate  our  names,  makes  the  pain  seem 
easie  to  him  who  has  a  generous  heart. 
Methought  all  the  time  when  I  read  Titus 
Livie  that  I  saw  all  the  brave  Scipio's, 
Cato's,  and  Caesar's  alive,  and  when  I  was  at 
Rome,  and  saw  the  Capitol,  calling  to  mind 
the  things  I  had  heard  (for  I  for  my  own 
part  was  ever  a  bad  Reader),  methought  I 
ought  to  find  those  ancient  Romans  there. 
The  Historians  then  who  omit  nothing  of 
any  kind  in  their  writings  will  mark  your 
name  in  white  or  black,  with  glory  or  with 
shame,  according  to  your  desert,  as  you  see 


SIENA  357 

they   have  done  by  so  many  Captains  who 
have  gone  before  us. 

The  second  thing  that  you  ought  to  set 
before  your  eyes  is  to  consider  if  you  lose 
the  place  committed  to  you,  first  what  a  loss 
it  will  be  to  the  King,  it  being  part  of  his 
estate  and  his  house,  there  being  no 
Garrison  that  is  not  properly  the  Kings  own 
house,  besides  that  the  revenue  is  his,  of 
which  you  deprive  him  in  losing  the  place, 
enrich  his  Enemy  and  augment  his  reputa- 
tion, whilst  you  dishonor  your  own  Master, 
who  shall  read  in  the  Histories  dedicated  to 
Eternity  that  in  his  Reign  such  a  Town, 
such  a  Castle,  such  a  Fortress  was  lost.  You 
ought  then  to  reflect  upon  the  miseries  you 
bring  upon  his  poor  Subjects,  how  many 
curses  will  they  load  you  with,  who  shall  be 
neighbours  to  the  place  you  have  lost  :  for 
they  will  certainly  be  destroy'd,  and  by  your 
carelessness  or  cowardize  ruin'd  and  undone. 
They  will  curse  the  hour  that  ever  you  was 
born,  and  especially  the  poor  Inhabitants 
who  through  your  fault  must  either  change 
their  King  and  Master,  or  taking  their 
children  upon  their  backs  be  constrain'd  to 
seek  another  habitation.  O  that  the  poor 
English  who  had  above  three  hundred  years 
been  settled  in  the  Town  of  Calice,  have 


358        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

reason  to  curse  the  cowardize  and  treachery 
of  him  who  so  infamously  lost  so  strong  a 
place  !  How  can  you  ever  have  the  con- 
fidence to  look  up  should  you  once  fall 
into  such  a  misfortune  as  this  ?  Before 
you  were  honor 'd  and  esteem 'd,  and  every 
one  rejoyc'd  at  your  coming,  praying  to  God 
to  preserve  and  bless  you  ;  but  should  you 
once  fall  into  a  misfortune  like  this,  instead  of 
prayers  and  acclamations  you  shall  meet  with 
affronts  and  injuries,  for  prayers  maledictions, 
and  they  will  curse  you  to  all  the  Devils  in 
Hell.  Instead  of  caressing,  they  will  turn  their 
backs  upon  you,  every  one  will  point  at  you, 
so  that  a  hundred  times  a  day  you  will  curse 
the  hour  that  you  were  not  kill'd  upon  a 
platform  or  in  a  breach  in  the  defence  of 
your  Garrison  rather  than  so  shamefully  to 
have  given  it  up  to  your  Enemy. 

And  not  only  your  Master,  the  Princes 
and  Lords,  will  look  upon  you  with  an  eye 
of  contempt,  but  the  very  women  and 
children  ;  nay,  I  will  say  more,  your  own 
Wife,  though  she  make  a  shew  of  love,  will 
hate  and  despise  you  in  her  heart ;  for  the 
nature  of  all  women  is  such  that  they  hate 
all  Poltrons  let  them  be  never  so  proper 
men,  or  never  so  handsomely  dress'd,  and 
love  the  bold  and  couragious  let  them  be  never 


SIENA 


359 


so  slovenly  or  deform'd.  They  participate 
of  your  shame,  and  although  being  in  your 
arms  in  bed,  they  may  pretend  to  be  glad  of 
your  return,  they  wish  in  their  hearts  you 
had  been  smother'd  or  carried  away  by  a 
Canon  shot  :  for  as  we  conceive  it  to  be  the 
greatest  disgrace  to  a  man  to  have  a  Whore 
to  his  Wife,  the  women  also  think  that  the 
greatest  shame  can  befal  them  is  to  have  a 
Coward  to  their  husband  :  and  thus  Monsieur 
le  Gouvernor,  you  who  have  lost  your  place, 
you  will  be  in  a  marvellous  happy  condition 
when  you  shall  be  curs'd  in  your  own  bed. 

But  what  shall  we  say  of  your  Children  ? 
People  will  not  only  reproach  them  that 
they  are  the  sons  of  a  Cowardly  father  ;  but 
they  will  moreover  themselves  see  his  name 
in  Print  and  the  mischiefs  of  which  his 
Cowardize  has  been  the  cause.  For  a  Town 
is  never  lost,  let  it  be  never  so  inconsiderable, 
that  it  does  not  draw  a  great  deal  of  incon- 
venience along  with  it.  It  brings  so  mighty 
an  inconvenience  upon  your  children  that  to 
extinguish  your  ill  repute  and  to  raise  their 
own  to  some  tollerable  degree  of  esteem, 
they  must  hazard  their  lives  upon  all 
occasions,  without  either  fear  or  wit,  and  few 
escape  being  kill'd,  who  by  this  means  to 
wipe  of  the  stain  from  their  family  would 


36o        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

signalize  themselves.  How  many  have  I 
seen  in  my  time  who  by  endeavouring  to 
repair  some  notorious  fault  have  los't 
themselves  and  expos'd  themselves  to  death 
upon  the  first  occasion  has  presented  it  self, 
being  asham'd  to  live.  And  though  your 
children  should  escape  these  dangers,  yet  will 
the  King  be  afraid  (what  great  reputation 
soever  they  may  have  acquir'd)  to  trust  a 
Town  to  their  custody,  lest  the  Son  should 
take  after  the  Father,  as  it  ordinarily  comes 
to  pass.  Thus  shall  you  not  only  ruine  your 
selves,  but  your  whole  Family. 

To  avoid  and  to  break  the  neck  of  your 
ill  fortune,  and  of  all  these  mishaps,  there  is 
a  good  remedy,  which  I  have  learn'd  my 
self,  and  am  willing  to  teach  it  you,  if  you 
know  it  not  already.  First  you  ought 
to  consider  all  this  that  I  have  told 
you,  and  set  on  the  one  side  the 
shame  and  on  the  other  the  honor 
you  will  obtain  if  you  bravely  defend  your 
place,  remaining  victorious  ;  or  at  the  least 
having  done  all  that  a  man  of  Honour  could 
do  to  come  of  Triumphant,  and  like  a 
Conqueror,  though  you  be  overcome,  as  you 
see  I  did  in  this  Siege.  Imagine  still  that 
you  see  your  Prince  and  Master  before  you, 
and  what  countenance  you  ought  to  hope  for 


SIENA  -,6i 


v)"^ 


if  by  your  Cowardize  you  lose  his  place. 
And  seeing  nothing  ever  had  a  beginning 
but  that  it  had  likewise  an  end,  consider  from 
the  beginning  what  the  end  is  like  to  be,  and 
remember  that  your  Master  has  not  entrusted 
this  place  in  your  hands  to  deliver  it  up 
but  to  defend  it ;  that  he  has  put  you  into  it 
not  to  live  there  only,  but  to  dye  there  also 
bravely  fighting,  if  occasion  be.  If  you  ask 
him  at  your  going  away  to  your  Command, 
Sir,  must  I  dye  before  I  surrender  the  place 
you  have  given  me  in  trust  ?  he  will  tell  you, 
that  you  are  to  fight  to  the  last  moment  of 
your  life ;  for  being  you  are  his  Subjects, 
your  life  is  his.  The  Seigneur  de  Jarnac 
one  day  told  the  King  that  it  was  the 
greatest  craft  and  Policy  that  even  Kings 
found  out  to  make  their  Subjects  believe, 
that  their  lives  were  theirs,  and  that  it  was 
the  greatest  honor  they  could  have  to  dye  for 
their  service  :  but  that  it  was  a  great 
simplicity  in  us  to  believe  it,  and  to  keep 
such  a  clutter  with  this  fine  bed  of  honor. 
It  is  nevertheless  true  that  our  lives  and 
estates  are  the  Kings,  our  souls  belong 
to  God,  and  our  honor  is  our  own,  for  over 
my  honor  the  King  has  no  power  at  all. 

To  return  to  what  I  was  saying  before,  if 
in  accepting  the  charge  committed  to  you, 


362        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

you  have  not  this  resolution  within  your 
selves,  you  would  do  a  great  deal  better  to 
make  an  excuse.  There  are  ways  enow  to 
put  it  off,  and  there  will  be  enow  who  will 
be  glad  to  accept  of  what  you  refuse.  If  you 
accept  it  with  a  resolution  to  bring  it  to  a 
handsome  issue,  do  one  thing,  never  think  of 
dying.  'Tis  for  a  Coxcomb  to  fear  death, 
till  he  see  it  within  three  inches  of  him,  and 
yet  cannot  he  forbear  representing  it  to  his 
imagination,  though  it  be  a  hundred  Leagues 
off.  On  the  contrary,  meditate  how  to  kill 
your  Enemy  ;  for  if  you  once  enter  into  an 
apprehension  and  fear  of  death,  you  may 
assuredly  give  your  place  for  lost  ;  for  that 
is  to  take  away  your  understanding  and  your 
judgement,  which  is  the  best  piece  in  your 
harness.  'Tis  to  much  purpose  to  be  valiant, 
if  this  fail  you  at  need  ;  which  if  you  intend 
to  preserve,  you  must  by  no  means  enter  into 
this  fear  of  dying  ;  for  fear  is  of  it  self 
and  by  the  frailty  of  your  own  nature  too 
apt  to  intrude  upon  us,  without  our  needing 
to  assist  it  with  our  own  imagination.  If 
then  it  present  it  self  before  you,  you  must 
reject  it,  and  have  sudden  recourse  to  the 
intention  of  the  King,  and  to  what  end  he 
plac'd  you  there.  Think  of  the  shame  and 
dishonor  you  are  running  into.     Read  often. 


SIENA  s^2> 

or  cause  to  be  read  to  you,  Books  that  speak 
of  the  honor  of  great  Captains,  principally 
those  of  our  own  times  ;  as  for  example, 
Langey  and  another,  who  has  writ  in  Italian 
(I  cannot  think  of  his  name)  who  has  writ  so 
well  since  King  Charles  the  Eight.  I  have 
often  read  him,  and  he  is  a  very  good 
Author.  Would  to  God  that  all  of  us  who 
bear  arms  would  take  up  a  custom  to  write 
the  things  we  see  and  do ;  for  I  am  ot 
opinion  it  would  be  better  done  by  our 
hands  (I  mean  as  to  feats  of  war)  than  by 
these  letter'd  men,  for  they  too  much  dis- 
guise the  truth,  and  this  relishes  of  the 
Clerk.  Read  then  these  Books,  and  medi- 
tate with  your  selves,  if  I  do  like  Antonio 
de  Leva  at  Pavie,  the  Sieur  de  Lude  at 
Fontarabie,  the  Siegneur  de  Bouillon  at 
Peronne,  the  Signior  de  Sansac  at  Miranda, 
and  Montluc  at  Sienna,  what  will  they  say 
of  me  .''  what  honor  shall  I  carry  back  to  my 
own  house  ?  and  on  the  contrary,  if  I 
surrender,  what  shame  and  infamy  for  me 
and  mine  ?  Then  apply  your  selves  to 
Almighty  God,  and  beg  ot  him  that  he  will 
defend  you  from  falling  into  these  mis- 
fortunes, resigning  up  all  things  into  his 
hands.  After  this  assist  your  selves  with  all 
that  he  has  put  into  the  power  of  men,  as 


364        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

you  see  I  did  in  this  Siege,  and  above  all 
things  be  always  diligent  and  vigilant,  ever- 
more mindful  of  your  charge,  if  you  do  this 
(forgetting  withal  death  and  danger)  you 
will  find  means  to  defend  your  place,  though 
it  were  but  a  Dove-Coat ;  and  though  it 
should  be  lost,  you  having  perform'd  your 
duty,  you  must  conclude  it  to  be  by  the 
hand  of  God.  We  must  however  always 
trie  ;  for  I  have  seen  a  place  lost  that  was 
never  suspected  to  be  in  danger,  and  such  a 
one  sav'd  as  has  been  given  over  for  gone. 
If  you  there  die  in  your  defence,  you  will 
neither  dishonor  your  selves  nor  your 
posterity,  but  shall  be  laid  in  your  grave 
with  an  immortal  renown,  which  is  all  that  a 
man  of  arms  ought  to  desire.  For  a  man 
that  fears  to  die  ought  never  to  go  to  the 
wars,  there  being  in  the  world  so  many  other 
employments  to  which  he  may  apply  himself, 
especially  in  the  Kingdom  of  France,  where 
there  are  so  many  orders,  that  of  Justice, 
and  that  of  the  Finances  ;  too  many  indeed 
for  the  good  of  the  King  and  of  his  Kingdom, 
such  a  brave  and  numerous  youth  living 
idle,  who  would  be  fit  to  bear  arms.  As  I 
have  entred  sometimes  into  the  Parliament 
of  Tholouze  and  Bordeaux,  since  my  being 
the  King's  Lieutenant  in  Guienne,  I  have  a 


HONOURS  365 

hundred  times  wondred  how  it  was  possible 
so  many  young  men  should  eternally  amuse 
themselves  in  a  Palace,  considering  that  the 
blood  ordinarily  boyls  in  young  men  ;  I 
believe  it  is  nothing  but  custome,  and  the 
King  could  not  do  better  than  to  drive 
away  these  people,  and  to  enure  them  to 
arms.  But  to  return  to  you  who  have  the 
Government  of  places,  and  you  who  have  a 
mind  to  put  your  selves  into  a  Town  to 
defend  it,  if  you  so  much  fear  death,  never 
go,  though  it  be  but  a  folly  to  fear  it,  for 
those  that  blow  the  fire  at  home  in  their 
own  houses  are  no  more  exempt  than  the 
others,  and  I  do  not  know  what  choice  there 
is  betwixt  dying  of  a  Stone  in  the  Kidneys, 
and  being  knocked  o'  th'  head  with  a 
Musket  bullet,  though  if  God  would  give 
me  choice,  I  should  not  be  long  in  choosing. 

MoNLuc  HAS  Honours  thrust  upon  Him 

About  this  time  the  Duke  of  Florence  pro- 
cur'd  the  Duke  of  Ferrara's  peace  with  the 
King  of  Spain,  but  it  was  with  the  knowledge 
and  content  of  the  King,  otherwise  the  said 
Duke  would  not  have  done  to  have  sav'd 
his  Dukedom,  he  was  so  good  a  Frenchman  ; 
and    when  the  peace  came,  which  was  five 


366        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

and  twenty  dayes  after  1  entered  into  Versle, 
I  took  my  leave  of  the  Prince,  and  return'd 
to  Ferrara,  where  it  is  not  to  be  asked  if  I 
was  welcome  to  the  Duke,  the  Dutchess, 
and  the  Cardinal  ;  for  I  do  not  think  they 
ever  caressed  any  man  of  what  condition 
soever  he  was,  or  could  be,  more  than  they 
did  me  ;  and  when  he  died  I  might  well  say, 
as  I  now  do,  I  lost  one  of  the  best  friends  I 
had  in  the  world  :  and  when  I  departed  from 
Ferrara  to  go  to  Versel,  the  Duke  examin'd 
a  Secretary  of  mine  what  store  of  money  I 
had,  and  he  telling  him  I  had  not  above  two 
hundred  Crowns,  he  sent  five  hundred 
Crowns  to  my  said  Secretary,  who  had  the 
ordering  of  my  expence  ;  and  when  three 
dayes  after  my  return  I  took  my  leave  of 
him,  the  Dutchess,  and  the  Cardinal,  the  said 
Duke  seeing  me  have  a  great  many  Gentle- 
men of  Quality  in  my  Train,  and  knowing  1 
could  not  have  money  enough  to  defray  my 
Journey,  he  sent  me  five  hundred  more. 
And  thus  I  returned  rich  from  my  command 
in  Tuscany.  This  money  carried  me  to 
Lyons,  where  1  found  two  thousand  and  four 
hundred  Francs,  which  the  King  had  caused 
to  be  paid  for  two  years  Salary  of  my  place 
of  Gentleman  of  the  Chamber,  and  that 
Martineau  had  then  deposited  for  me  in  the 


HONOURS  367 

hands  of  Cathelin  Jean  the  Post-master, 
which  brought  me  to  Paris.  Immediately 
upon  my  coming  to  Paris  I  went  to  kiss  his 
Majesties  hand,  he  being  then  at  Cressy, 
where  I  was  as  well  received  by  his  Majesty 
as  at  my  return  from  Sienna,  and  he  was 
very  well  satisfied  with  what  I  had  done  for 
the  Duke  of  Ferrara.  Monsieur  de  Guise, 
who  had  not  seen  me  before,  embrac't  me 
three  or  four  times  in  the  presence  of  the 
King  himself,  and  his  Majesty  commanded 
the  said  Monsieur  de  Guise  to  cause  a 
thousand  Crowns  to  be  given  me,  wherewith 
to  return  and  to  sojourn  some  time  at  Paris, 
which  he  presently  did.  And  thus  was  my 
return  out  of  Italy  into  France  ;  the  last 
time  that  I  was  in  those  parts,  and  the 
services  I  did  there,  wherein  I  cannot  lie  ; 
there  being  so  many  yet  living  who  can  bear 
testimony  of  what  I  have  deliver'd. 

By  this  (Captains)  you  may  see,  and  take 
notice  what  a  thing  reputation  is,  which  also 
having  once  acquir'd,  you  ought  rather  to 
die  than  to  lose  ;  neither  must  you  do  like 
men  of  the  world,  who  so  soon  as  they  have 
got  a  little  repute  are  content  with  it,  and 
think  that  what  ever  they  shall  do  afterwards 
the  world  will  still  repute  them  valiant.  Do 
not  fancy  any  such  thing  ;  for  by  performing 


368        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

from  time  to  time  still  more  and  braver 
things,  young  men  rise  to  greatness,  have  fire 
in  their  pates,  and  fight  like  Devils  ;  who 
when  they  shall  see  you  do  nothing  worth 
taking  notice  of,  will  be  apt  to  say  that  the 
world  has  bestowed  the  title  of  valiant  upon 
you  without  desert,  will  set  less  value  upon 
you,  use  you  with  less  respect,  and  behind 
your  back  talk  of  you  at  their  pleasure,  and  with 
good  reason  ;  for  if  you  will  not  still  continue 
to  do  well,  and  still  attempt  new  and  greater 
things,  it  were  much  safer  for  your  honor  to 
retire  home  to  your  own  house,  with  the 
reputation  you  have  already  got,  than  by 
still  following  arms  to  lose  it  again,  and  to  be 
scouting  at  distance  when  others  are 
laying  about  them.  If  you  desire  to  mount 
to  the  highest  step  of  the  stairs  of  honor,  do 
not  stop  in  the  mid-way,  but  step  by  step 
strive  to  get  up  to  the  top  without  imagining 
that  your  renown  will  continue  the  same  as 
when  it  was  obtain'd  at  first.  You  deceive 
your  selves,  some  new  commer  will  carry 
the  prize,  if  you  do  not  look  well  about 
you,  and  strive  to  do  still  better  and 
better. 

The  same  day  that  I  went  from  Cressy 
back  to  Paris,  Monsieur  de  Guise  departed 
also  to  go  to  Metz  to  execute  the  Enterprize 


HONOURS  369 

of  Thionville.  The  King  from  the  time  of 
his  return  out  of  Italy  had  made  choice  of 
him  for  his  Lieutenant  General  throughout 
his  whole  Kingdom,  so  that  before  my 
coming  I  found  that  he  had  taken  the  Town 
of  Calice,  and  sent  back  the  English  to  the 
other  side  of  the  Sea,  together  with  Guines, 
and  that  he  was  now  upon  the  Siege  of 
Thionville.  Two  dayes  had  not  past  before 
the  King  sent  for  me  to  come  to  him  to 
Cressy,  without  giving  me  notice  what  it  was 
about,  and  I  heard  that  the  next  morning  after 
I  departed  from  thence  the  King  had  caused 
Monsieur  d'Andelot  to  be  arrested  about 
some  answer  he  had  made  him  concerning 
Religion.  So  soon  as  I  was  come,  the  King 
sent  for  me  into  his  Chamber,  where  he  had 
with  him  the  Cardinal  of  Lorrain,  and  two 
or  three  others  (whom  1  have  forgot,  but  I 
think  the  King  of  Navarre  and  Monsieur 
de  Montpensir  were  there)  and  there  the  King 
told  me  that  1  must  go  to  Metz  to  the  Duke 
of  Guise,  there  to  command  the  Foot,  of 
which  Monsieur  d'Andelot  was  Colonel.  I 
most  humbly  besought  his  Majesty  not  to 
make  me  to  intermeddle  with  another  mans 
Command,  which  rather  than  I  would 
do,  I  would  go  serve  his  Majesty  under 
the  Duke  of  Guise  in  the  quality  of  a 
2  A 


370        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

private  Soldier,  or  else  would  command  his 
Pioneers,  rather  than  take  upon  me  this 
employment.  The  King  then  told  me  that 
Monsieur  de  Guise,  so  soon  as  he  had  heard 
of  Andelot's  imprisonment,  had  himself  sent 
to  demand  me  to  exercise  the  said  command. 
Seeing  then  I  could  get  nothing  by  Excuses, 
I  told  his  Majesty  that  I  was  not  yet  cur'd 
of  a  Dyssentery  my  disease  had  left  me,  and 
that  this  was  a  command  which  requir'd 
health  and  disposition  of  body  to  perform 
it  ;  which  were  neither  of  them  in  me  ; 
whereupon  his  Majesty  told  me  that  he 
should  think  this  Command  better  discharg'd 
by  me  in  a  Litter,  than  by  another  in  perfect 
health,  and  that  he  did  not  give  it  me  to 
exercise  for  another,  but  that  he  intended  I 
should  have  it  for  ever  ;  to  which  1  made 
answer  that  I  gave  his  Majesty  most  humble 
thanks  for  the  honor  he  deign'd  me  herein, 
and  made  it  my  most  humble  request  that 
he  would  not  be  displeased  if  I  could  not 
accept  it.  Whereupon  his  Majesty  said  to 
me  these  words,  *  Let  me  entreat  you  to 
*  accept  it  for  my  sake,'  and  with  that  the 
Cardinal  reprov'd  me,  saying,  'You  dispute 
'it  too  long  with  his  Majesty,  'tis  too  much 
'  contested  with  your  Master,'  to  which  I 
replyed,  that  I  did  not  dispute  it  out  of  any 


HONOURS  371 

disaffection  to  his  Majesties  service,  nor  that 
I  was  unwiUing  to  serve  under  the  Duke  of 
Guise,  I  having  upon  my  first  coming  to 
Paris  laid  out  money  to  buy  me  some  Tents 
and  other  Equipage  in  order  to  my  attend- 
ance upon  him,  having  engag'd  my  self 
before  at  Rome  so  to  do  ;  but  only  upon  the 
account  of  my  incapacity  in  that  posture  of 
health  wherein  I  then  was.  His  Majesty 
then  told  me  that  there  was  no  more  to  be 
said,  and  that  I  must  go  ;  after  which  I  had 
no  more  to  say.  And  I  fancy  the  King  of 
Navarre,  and  Monsieur  de  Montpensier 
both  fell  upon  me  to  persuade  me  to  accept 
of  this  Command,  forasmuch  as  I  remem- 
ber the  King  said  to  me,  there  is  no  more 
excuse,  for  you  see  all  the  world  is  against 
you,  and  thereupon  commanded  the  Cardinal 
to  order  me  another  thousand  Crowns 
towards  my  equipage,  which  he  presently 
did.  I  then  return'd  to  Paris,  where  I  stayd 
but  two  dayes  to  provide  my  self  of  such 
things  as  I  wanted,  and  so  went  away  to  the 
Duke  of  Guise  to  Metz.  I  found  him  just 
mounting  to  horse  to  go  to  discover  Thion- 
ville,  but  he  would  not  suffer  me  to  go 
along  with  him,  by  reason  of  my  long 
Journey,  and  to  speak  the  truth  I  was  not 
very  well ;  and  the  same  night  he  return'd 


372        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

and  told  me  that  if  God  would  permit  us  to 
take  that  place,  there  was  honor  to  be  got. 
He  was  alwaies  wont  when  dispos'd  to  be 
merry  to  call  me  his  heart,  and  smiling,  then 
said  to  me,  '  Courage  my  heart,  I  hope  we 
*  shall  carry  it.'  And  in  the  morning  we 
departed,  for  he  had  all  his  tackle  ready.  I 
must  needs  say  one  thing  with  truth,  and 
without  flattery,  that  he  was  one  of  the 
most  diligent  Generals  that  I  had  serv'd,  of 
eighteen  under  whom  I  had  the  honor  to 
bear  arms  for  his  Majesties  service ;  and 
yet  he  had  one  fault,  which  was  that  he 
would  write  almost  every  thing  with  his  own 
hand,  and  would  not  trust  to  any  Secretary 
he  had.  I  will  not  say  this  was  ill  done,  but 
it  rendred  him  a  little  slow,  and  affairs  of 
war  require  so  prompt  a  diligence  that  a 
quarter  of  an  hour's  delay  sometimes  en- 
dangers the  success  of  the  greatest  Enter- 
prise. One  day  I  came  from  the  Trenches 
to  demand  of  him  four  German  Ensigns  to 
reinforce  our  Guards,  for  we  began  to 
approach  very  near  to  the  Town  ;  and 
because  the  Artillery  from  the  walls  had 
forced  him  from  his  first  Quarter,  he  was 
lodg'd  in  a  little  low  house,  which  had  one 
little  Chamber  only,  the  window  whereof 
was  just   over  the  door  :   I  there  met  with 


HONOURS  2>7Z 

Monsieur  de  Bourdillon,  who  was  since 
Mareschal  of  France,  whom  1  asked  where 
the  Duke  was  ;  he  told  me  he  was  writing  ; 
'  the  Devil,'  said  I,  '  take  all  these  writings 
'  for    me,    it    seems    he    has    a    mind    to 

*  save  his  Secretaries  a  labour,  'tis  pitty  he 

*  was  not  a  Clerk  of  the  Parliament  of  Paris, 

*  for  he  would  have  got  more  money  than  du 
'  Tillet   and  all   the   rest   of  them   put    to- 

*  gether.'  Monsieur  Bourdillon  was  ready 
to  die  with  laughing,  because  he  knew  (which 
I  dream't  not  on)  that  the  Duke  heard 
every  word  I  said,  and  therefore  egg'd  me 
on  still  to  descant  more  upon  this  Clerk  : 
when  presently  Monsieur  de  Guise  came 
out  laughing,  and  said,  '  How  now  my 
'  heart,  what  do  you  think  I  should  have  made 
'  a  good  Clerk  ? '  but  in  my  life  I  was  never 
so  out  of  countenance,  and  was  furiously 
angry  with  Monsieur  de  Bourdillon,  for 
having  made  me  talk  at  that  rate,  though 
the  Duke  laught  at  it  only,  and  gave  me 
Count  Rocquendolf  with  four  Ensigns. 
But  to  return  to  what  I  was  saying  of  his 
diligence,  there  was  not  any  one  who  did  not 
acknowledge  him  for  one  of  the  most  vigilant 
and  diligent  Generals  of  our  times,  and 
witbal  a  man  of  so  great  judgment  in  delibera- 
tion, that  he  having  deHver'd  his  opinion  and 


374        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

advice,  a  better  was  not  to  be  expected.  And 
to  the  rest,  a  Prince  so  discreet,  affable,  and 
familiar,  that  there  was  not  a  man  in  his 
Army  who  would  not  cheerfully  run  all 
hazards  for  the  least  word  of  his  mouth ; 
so  great  a  dexterity  he  had  in  gaining 
hearts. 

The  Taking  of  Arlon  and  the  Dinner 

THAT  succeeded  IT 

Three  days  after  the  taking  of  Thionville, 
the  army  march'd  directly  to  Arlon,  a  little 
Town,  but  a  very  neat  one  for  its  circuit. 
'Tis  a  great  fault  in  a  General  to  lie  still 
after  the  taking  of  a  place,  as  I  have  known 
them  often  do.  This  both  encourages  your 
Enemy,  and  gives  your  own  men  opportunity 
to  steal  away  ;  whereas  their  honor  will 
oblige  them  to  stay,  when  they  see  them- 
selves employ'd  :  I  mean,  if  the  Army  be 
not  totally  broken  or  ruin'd,  for  then 
necessity  compels  you  so  to  do  :  but  other- 
wise to  repose  after  a  Conquest,  and  to  lose 
never  so  little  time,  is  very  prejudicial  to  his 
Majesties  service.  I  with  our  foot  quarter'd 
round  about  the  Town,  Monsieur  de  Guise 
lay  a  quarter  of  a  League  behind,  and  told 
me  he  was  almost  moap'd  for  want  of  sleep  ; 


ARLON  375 

for  that  since  the  beginning  of  the  siege  of 
Thionville  till  now  he  had  not  had  so  much 
sleep  in  all  as  he  was  wont  to  have  in  one 
night  at  other  times  (and  I  had  had  less  than 
he)  entreating  me  to  make  the  approaches 
that  night,  that  he  would  send  me  the  Com- 
missaries of  the  Artillery  with  four  pieces  of 
Canon,  to  consult  where  they  should  be 
planted,  and  that  he  would  give  the  sack  of 
this  Town  to  the  Souldiers,  in  recompense  of 
that  of  Thionville  :  Which  having  said,  he 
retir'd  himself  into  a  little  thatch'd  house, 
where  he  was  to  lie. 

There  was  in  the  Town  a  hundred  and 
fifty  Germans,  and  four  hundred  Walloons, 
the  Germans  kept  one  Gate,  and  the  Walloons 
another  ;  when  (so  soon  as  I  had  placed  the 
Centinels,  and  the  Courts  of  Guards  very 
near  to  one  another  (because  it  was  said  that 
some  succours  would  enter  in  that  night)  they 
within  set  a  very  good  face  on  the  matter, 
which  made  us  think  that  they  lookt  for 
some  relief),  I  began  to  make  the  Esplanade 
by  the  Gardens  of  the  Town,  to  bring  up  the 
Artillery,  resolving  to  make  my  Battery  a 
little  on  the  left  hand  the  Gate,  to  assist  my 
self  at  the  assault  with  the  Ladders  of  a 
little  Breach  they  had  made  themselves, 
through  which    to    carry    up    earth    to    the 


376        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

Terras  they  were  making  in  that  place  ; 
which  to  do  they  had  made  steps  in  the -very 
earth  it  self,  both  at  the  descent  into  the 
Grasse,  and  likewise  in  the  ascent  on  the 
other  side  up  to  the  Terras.  I  came  up 
close  to  the  Ditch  of  the  Town,  and  to 
another  little  Ditch  there  was  near  unto 
the  way,  which  I  caused  to  be  discover'd  by 
a  Soldier  ;  and  I  had  three  or  four  Captains 
with  me  in  this  little  Ditch.  The  Soldier 
found  the  steps,  by  which  he  went  down, 
and  afterwards  mounted  three  or  four  of 
those  that  went  up  to  the  Terrass,  and  there 
stay'd  without  being  perceiv'd  :  when  having 
stayed  a  while  he  return 'd  to  me,  and  told 
me  that  there  was  no  Centinel  upon  the 
Terrass  ;  so  that  he  thought  if  we  should 
throw  our  selves  desperately  upon  the 
Terrass  we  should  carry  the  Town.  Hearing 
this,  I  caused  a  Court  of  Guard  (that  was 
much  stronger  than  the  rest,  it  being  de- 
sign'd  to  guard  the  Artillery)  to  come  up  to 
me,  making  the  Soldiers  to  creep  on  their 
hands  and  knees,  and  to  put  themselves  into 
the  Ditch.  I  then  made  the  Soldier  return 
to  the  Ditch,  with  three  or  four  Harque- 
buzeers,  and  two  Captains  with  Targets,  of 
which  Monsieur  de  Goas  was  one.  The 
night  was  so  very  dark  that  a  man  could  not 


ARLON  zn 

see  a  step  from  him,  and  this  Soldier  was  a 
Fleming.  He  goes  down  into  the  Ditch, 
the  Captains  after  him,  and  the  three  or  four 
Harquebuzeers  after  them  ;  and  so  soon  as 
they  were  in  the  Ditch  they  planted  them- 
selves on  that  side  of  it  towards  the  Town, 
and  as  near  as  they  could  to  the  steps.  The 
Enemy  hearing  the  noise  began  to  cry  '  who 
'  goes  there  } '  and  the  Soldier  answer'd  them 
in  their  own  language,  '  a  friend,  a  friend  '  ; 
they  then  demanded  of  him  what  he  was,  to 
which  he  made  answer  that  he  was  a  Fleming, 
and  that  being  their  Countryman,  he  very 
much  lamented  their  ruine,  for  that  all  the 
Artillery  Monsieur  de  Guise  had  would  be 
planted  in  battery  by  morning,  and  that  they 
were  not  to  trust  to  the  Germans  who  were 
with  them  in  the  Town,  for  they  were  assur'd 
to  have  no  harm,  nor  the  least  offence  from 
our  people,  they  having  already  made  them 
that  promise  by  a  German  Soldier  who  stole 
out  in  the  close  of  the  evening  to  speak  with 
us  ;  so  that  all  the  slaughter  would  fall  upon 
them  if  they  did  not  surrender,  v/hich  also 
would  be  too  late  after  the  Canon  had  once 
playd.  Upon  this  they  sent  immediately  to 
the  Germans  Quarters,  and  found  that  a 
Soldier  of  ours  who  spoke  Dutch  was  talking 
to  them  ;  so  that  so  soon  as  their  Messenger 


378        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

return'd,  this  Souldier  heard  them  all  in  a 
hurly-burly  within,  and  began  to  ask  them 
if  they  would  make  him  drink,  to  which  they 
answered  they  would,  and  bad  him  come  up 
boldly  upon  their  word  and  faith.  I  heard 
every  word,  for  I  was  not  above  six  paces  from 
the  brink  of  the  Grasse,  and  made  the  other 
two  Captains  go  one  after  another  into  it,  and 
three  or  four  Serjeants  with  Halberts  after 
them.  The  Soldier  then  mounted  the  steps 
till  he  came  to  the  edge  of  the  Terrass, 
where  he  again  spoke  to  them,  saying  that 
Monsieur  de  Guise  had  made  fair  War  with 
those  of  Thionville,  and  would  do  the  same 
by  them,  still  amusing  them  with  fair 
speeches,  and  they  fetcht  him  some  drink. 
Monsieur  de  Goas  was  just  behind 
the  Soldier,  and  three  Harquebuzeers  one 
after  another  (for  they  could  mount  but  one 
by  one)  in  heels  of  him  whom  this  first 
Soldier  so  shaded  with  his  body,  that  they 
could  not  see  down  the  steps.  The  other 
Captain  followed  in  the  rear  of  the  three 
Harquebuzeers,  and  the  Serjeants  after  him, 
insomuch  that  all  the  steps  were  full  from  the 
top  to  the  bottom  ;  which  when  Monsieur 
de  Goas  saw,  he  pusht  the  Soldier  that  was 
before  him  upon  the  Terrass  and  the  other 
Captain  the  other  three  Harquebuzeers,  and 


ARLON  379 

then  the  Soldier  began  to  cry  *  goot  Krich,' 
which  is  to  say,  *good  Quarter,  good  Quarter,' 
the  Harquebuzeers  gave  fire,  and  the  Captains 
threw  themselves  upon  the  Counterscarp, 
and  every  body  after  them,  and  these  poor 
people  fled  to  their  Quarters,  the  Soldiers 
chasing  them  through  the  streets.  I  then 
leapt  into  the  Ditch  with  the  rest  of  my  men, 
mounting  the  Souldiers  as  fast  as  I  could  one 
after  another.  The  Germans  who  saw  them- 
selves surpriz'd  behind,  at  the  request  of  the 
Soldier  that  spoke  Dutch  very  courteously 
open'd  a  Postern,  and  gave  themselves  up  to 
the  discretion  of  the  Soldiers,  wherein  our 
men  did.  an  act  worthy  the  highest  com- 
mendation, and  by  which  they  shewed  them- 
selves to  be  old  Soldiers,  for  there  was  not 
four  men  kill'd  in  the  whole  Town,  but  on 
the  contrary  they  themselves  led  our  people 
to  the  houses  where  the  best  booty  was  to  be 
had  :  and  thus  the  Town  was  taken. 

Monsieur  de  Guise,  who  had  given  order 
that  no  one  should  disturb  him,  but  let  him 
that  night  sleep  his  fill,  knew  nothing  of  all 
this  till  break  of  day,  that  asking  if  the 
Artillery  had  begun  to  play,  they  told  him 
the  Town  was  already  taken,  from  about 
midnight,  and  the  Artillery  return'd  back  to 
its  place,  which  made  him  make  the  Sign  of 


38o        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

the  Cross,  saying  *  this  is  quick  work,'  when 
presently  making  himself  ready,  and  mounting 
to  horse,  he  came  up  to  us.  Now  by  misfortune 
the  fire  had  taken  in  two  or  three  houses  by 
reason  of  some  powder  that  was  found  in 
them,  which  in  removing  thence  accidentally 
took  fire  and  burnt  four  or  five  Soldiers,  so 
that  the  Town  being  almost  full  of  flax  ready 
drest  for  spinning,  and  the  wind  being  very 
high,  no  so  good  means  could  be  us'd  but 
that  above  half  the  Town  was  reduc'd  to 
ashes,  by  reason  whereof  the  Soldiers  did  not 
get  so  much  as  otherwise  they  had  done. 

The  next  day  Monsieur  de  Guise  marched 
away  with  his  Army,  and  never  staid  till  he 
came  to  Pierre-point,  where  himself  and  all 
the  Gentlemen  of  his  Train  lodg'd  in  the 
Town,  which  was  very  large  while  we  encampt 
without  on  both  sides  the  River  ;  and  there 
it  was  that  the  Swiss  came  to  us,  and  John 
William  Duke  of  Saxony,  who  broght  a 
great  and  very  brave  Troop  of  Reiters  along 
with  him,  and,  if  I  mistake  not,  a  Regiment 
of  Germans  also.  The  King  himself  likewise 
came,  and  lay  at  Marches,  a  house  belonging 
to  the  Cardinal  of  Lorrain,  which  altogether 
made  up  the  greatest  and  the  bravest  Army 
that  I  think  ever  King  of  France  had  ;  for 
when  the  King  would  see  them   all  drawn 


ARLON  381 

into  Battalia,  they  took  up  above  a  league  and 
a  half  in  length,  and  when  the  Van  began  to 
march,  to  go  back  to  the  Rear  and  to  return 
back  to  the  Front  took  up  three  hours 
time. 

Two  hours  before  day  Messieurs  de 
Bourdillon  and  de  Tavannes  Mareschaux  de 
Camp,  came  to  the  place  assign'd  for  the 
Rendezvouz,  where  as  we  came  they  still 
drew  us  up,  and  before  all  the  Army  was  in 
Battalia  it  was  above  eight  hours,  and  was 
excessively  hot  ;  Monsieur  de  Guise  came 
himself  by  break  of  day,  and  helped  to  put 
the  Army  into  Battalia.  I  with  my  French 
Foot  was  placed  betwixt  the  Swiss  and  a 
Battalion  of  Germans,  where  as  Monsieur  de 
Guise  passt  by  the  head  of  our  Battalion,  he 
said,   *  Would  to  God  we  had   some  good 

*  fellow  here  with  a  bottle  of  wine   and  a 

*  crust  of  bread,  that  I   might  drink  a  glass 

*  or  two,  for  I  shall  not  have  time  to  go  dine 

*  at  Pierre-point,  and  be  back  again  before 

*  the  King  comes  '  ;  whereupon  I  said  to  him, 

*  Sir  will  you  please  to  dine  with  me  at  my 
Tents  ?  (which  was  not  above  a  Harquebuz 

*  shot  off)  I  will  give  you  very  good  French 
*and   Gascon  wine,    and  a  whole    Covy  of 

*  Partridges'  ;  *  yes  my  heart,'  said  he,  'but 

*  they  will  be  Garlick  and  Onions  ' :  to  which 


382        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

I  made  answer,  that  they  should  neither  be 
the  one  nor  the  other,  but  that  I  would  give 
him  as  good  a  dinner  as  if  he  was  in  his  own 
Quarters,  and  wine  as  cool  as  he  could  desire, 
and  moreover  Gascon  wine,  and  admirable 
good  water.  '  Are  you  in  earnest  my  heart,' 
said  he.     *  Yes  upon  my  faith  am  I,'  said  1. 

*  Why  then,'  said  he, '  I  would  willingly  come, 

*  but  I  cannot  leave  the  Duke  of  Saxony '  ; 
*why  sir,'  said  I,  'in  the  name  of  God  bring 
the  Duke  of  Saxony  and  who  you  please '  : 

*  I  but,'  said  he,  *  the  Duke  will  not  come 

*  without  his  Captains  '  ;  'why,'  said  I, ' bring 
'  his  Captains  too,  I  have  belly  timber  for 

*  you  all.'  Now  I  had  over-night  promised 
Messieurs  de  Bourdillon  and  de  Tabannes 
to  treat  them  at  dinner,  after  they  had  drawn 
the  Army  up  in  Battalia  ;  but  they  could  not 
come,  by  reason  that  part  of  the  Cavalry,  who 
were  quarter'd  a  great  way  off,  were  not  yet 
come  up  ;  and  on  the  other  side,  I  had  one 
of  the  best  Providores  in  the  Army.  Mon- 
sieur de  Guise  then  went  to  find  out  the 
Duke  of  Saxony  and  his  Captains,  and  I  sent 
in  all  haste  to  my  Steward  to  get  all  things 
ready.  My  people  had  made  a  Cellar  in  the 
earth,  where  the  wind  and  the  water  were 
as  cool  as  ice  ;  and  by  good  fortune  I  had 
got  a  great  many  Partridges,  Quails,  Turkies, 


ARLON  2>^3 

Leverets,  and  all  that  could  be  desir'd,  where- 
with to  make  a  noble  Feast,  with  bak'd-meats 
and  Tarts  :  for  1  knew  that  Monsieur  de 
Bourdillon  and  de  Tavannes  would  not  come 
alone,  and  I  had  a  mind  to  entertain  them 
very  well,  they  being  both  of  them  very 
good  friends  of  mine.  They  were  so  well 
treated  that  Monsieur  de  Guise  asking  the 
Duke  of  Saxony  by  his  Interpreter  what  he 
thought  of  the  French  Colonel,  and  whether 
or  no  he  had  not  treated  them  well,  and 
given  them  good  wine  ?  the  Duke  made 
answer,  that  if  the  King  himself  had  treated 
them,  he  could  not  have  done  it  better,  nor 
have  given  them  better  nor  cooler  wine.  The 
Duke  of  Saxony's  Captains  spared  it  not 
but  drank  freely  to  our  French  Captains 
that  I  had  brought  along  with  me,  neither 
though  Messieurs  de  Bourdillon  and  de 
Tavannes  had  also  come  had  I  been  surpriz'd 
for  next  to  the  Duke  of  Guise  his  own  Table 
there  was  not  one  in  the  whole  Army  longer 
or  better  furnisht  than  mine.  A  way  that  I 
have  alwayes  used  in  what  command  soever  I 
had  been,  being  willing  thereby  to  honour 
the  Employments  I  have  had  from  my 
Masters,  to  encrease  my  expence  ;  and  have 
alwayes  observ'd  such  as  have  liv'd  after  this 
manner  to  be  in  greater  reputation,  and  better 


384        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

followed  than  others  :  for  such  a  Gentleman 
may  be,  and  of  a  good  family,  that  sometimes 
knows  not  where  to  dine,  and  knowing  where 
a  good  Table  is  kept,  will  be  glad  to  be  there, 
who  if  he  follow  you  at  your  Table,  will  follow 
you  any  where  else  if  he  have  never  so  little 
good  blood  or  breeding  in  him.  But  to 
return  to  my  Guests,  so  soon  as  they  rose 
from  Table  Monsieur  de  Guise  asked  me 
what  Laundress  I  had  that  kept  my  Table- 
linnen  so  white,  to  which  I  made  answer 
that  they  were  two  men  I  had  that  did  it  ; 
'Believe  me,'  said  he,  'you  are  serv'd  like 
'  a  Prince ' ;  and  thereupon  entertain'd  the 
Duke  of  Saxony  upon  that  subject,  speaking 
better  things  of  me  than  I  deserv'd  ;  where- 
upon I  took  occasion  to  tell  him,  that  he 
would  do  well  to  perswade  the  King  to  give 
me  money  to  buy  silver  Vessel,  that  another 
time,  when  he  and  the  Duke  of  Saxony  would 
do  me  the  honor  to  come  eat  in  my  Pavillions, 
I  might  serve  them  according  to  their  quality. 
Monsieur  de  Guise  told  the  Duke  of  Saxony 
what  I  said,  who  made  answer,  that  he  would 
tell  the  King  ;  when  being  about  to  mount 
to  horse  to  return  to  the  Camp,  word  was 
brought  that  the  King  was  upon  his  way 
from  Marches,  and  coming  to  the  Camp  ; 
whereupon  they  two  went  out  to  meet  him. 


ARLON  385 

and  we  return'd  every  one  to  his  place,  all 
of  us  I  assure  you  very  well  drunk,  and  our 
pates  full.  About  a  quarter  of  a  league  from 
the  Battalions  they  met  the  King,  where  his 
Majesty  asked  them  if  they  had  din'd,  to 
which  Monsieur  de  Guise  made  answer,  that 
they  had,  and  as  well  as  they  had  done  of  a 
year  before  :  *  why,'  said  his  Majesty  (seeing 
them  come  fromwards  the  Battalions)  *you 

*  did  not  dine  at  Pierre-pont,'  *  no  Sir,'  said 
Monsieur   de    Guise.       *  Neither    can    your 

*  Majesty  guess  where  we  din'd,  nor  by  whom 

*  so  well  entertain'd '  ;  *  I  pray  by  whom,' 
said  the  King,  *  Marry  Sir,'  replied  Monsieur 
de  Guise,  '  by  Montluc  *  ;  *  I  believe  then,' 
said  the  King,  *  he  feasted  you  with  his  own 

*  Country  diet,  Garlick  and  Onions,  and  wine 

*  as  warm  as  milk '  :  whereupon  Monsieur  de 
Guise  up  and  told  him  how  I  had  entertain'd 
them,  when  the  King  asking  the  Duke  of 
Saxony  by  his  Interpreter  if  it  were  true,  the 
Duke  made  answer,  that  if  his  Majesty 
himself  had  treated  them,  they  could  not 
have  had  better  meat,  nor  cooler  wine  :  and 
that  since  I  was  so  good  a  fellow,  his  Majesty 
might  do  well  to  give  me  money  to  buy  Plate, 
nothing  having  been  wanting  but  that,  and  that 
Monsieur  de  Guise  and  he  had  both  promised 
me  to  make  that  request  to  his  Majesty  in 

2  B 


386        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

my  behalf;  which  the  King  promised  them 
to  do,  and  that  since  I  was  so  honourable 
in  my  expense,  he  would  give  me  means 
to  do  it,  more  than  hitherto  he  had  ever 
done. 

Though  this  passage  be  not  much  to  the 
purpose,  yet  I  thought  fit  to  insert  it  here, 
to  the  end  every  one  may  know  that  Avarice 
had  never  so  great  a  dominion  over  me  as  to 
hinder  me  from  honoring  the  Employments 
I  ihave  had  from  my  Kings  and  Masters  ; 
and  1  would  advise  you,  fellow  Captains, 
who  command  over  a  great  many  men,  to  do 
the  same,  and  never  to  suffer  avarice  to  be 
predominant  over  you  ;  the  little  you  spend 
will  procure  you  several  and  considerable 
advantages.  A  Captains  handsome  Table 
invites  worthy  men,  especially  that  of  a 
Lieutenant  of  the  King,  to  which  the  Nobility 
and  Gentry  repair,  either  for  want  of  com- 
modious Quarter,  or  sometimes  perhaps  upon 
the  account  of  other  inconveniences,  where  if 
the  said  Lieutenant  be  miserable  and  narrow 
soul'd,  they  will  look  upon  him  as  a  man 
unworthy  to  be  follow'd.  I  never  did  so, 
but  on  the  contrary  alwayes  spent  more  than 
I  had,  and  have  found  that  it  has  done  me 
more  good  than  harm  ;  yet  was  not  this  my 
only  way  of  spending,  but  1  had  a  trick  of 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         2>^y 

giving  Horses  and  Arms  also,  and  oftentimes 
to  men  that  were  better  able  than  myself. 
If  the  King  or  the  Prince  you  serve  under 
know  you  to  be  of  this  humour,  he  ought 
also  to  be  open-handed  to  you,  knowing  you 
to  be  of  a  liberal  nature,  and  that  you  reserve 
nothing  to  your  self. 

The  Beginning  of  the  Wars  of  Religion 

King  Francis  being  dead  at  Orleans,  where 
I  then  was,  I  went  to  wait  upon  the  Queen 
Mother,  who  although  she  was  very  ill 
nevertheless  did  me  the  honor  to  command, 
that  they  should  permit  me  to  enter  into  her 
chamber.  I  had  taken  notice  of  the  practices 
were  set  on  foot,  which  did  by  no  means 
please  me,  and  especially  those  of  the  Estates 
then  sitting,  by  which  I  saw  we  should  not 
long  continue  in  peace,  and  that  was  it  which 
made  me  resolve  to  retire  from  Court,  that  I 
might  not  be  hook'd  in  either  by  one  Faction 
or  another  ;  especially  considering  that  I  had 
been  made  guilty  that  way  before  (contrary 
to  all  truth,  as  God  be  my  help)  which  was 
the  reason,  that  taking  leave  of  her  Majesty, 
and  not  thinking  it  fit  to  trouble  her  with 
much  discourse  in  her  indisposition,  I  said  to 
her  these  words.     *  Madam,  I  am  going  into 


388         BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

'  Gascony,  with  a  determination  to  do  you 
'  most  humble  and  faithful  service  all  the  days 

*  of  my  life,  which  I   most  humbly  beseech 

*  your  Majesty  to  believe,  and  if  anything 

*  fall  out  considerable  enough  to  engage  you 

*  to  call  your  servants  about  you,  1  promise 

*  you,  and  give  you  my  faith,  I  will  never 

*  take  other  side  than  that  of  your  M^esties, 

*  and  my  Lords  your  Children  ;  but  mr  that 

*  will  be  on  horseback  so  soon  as  ever  your 

*  Majesty  shall  please  to  command  me.'  The 
very  night  of  the  same  day  on  which  King 
Francis  dy'd,  I  had  given  her  the  same 
assurance,  for  which  she  now  did  me  the 
honor  to  return  me  thanks,  when  Madam 
de  Cursol,  who  stood  at  her  beds  head,  said 
to  her,  '  Madam,  you  ought  not  to  let  him 

*  go,  your  Majesty  having  no  servant  more 
'  faithful  than  those  of  the  family  of  Montluc' 
To  which  I  made  answer,  *  Madam,  you  shall 

*  never  be  without  Montluc's,  for  you  have 

*  three   yet    remaining,    which    are    my   two 

*  brothers  and  my  son,  v/ho  with  my  self  will 

*  dye  at  your  feet,  for  your  Majesties  service.' 
For  which  her  Majesty  return'd  me  many 
thanks.  She  who  had  a  great  deal  of  under- 
standing, and  who  has  given  very  ample 
testimony  of  it  to  the  world,  saw  very  well, 
that  having  so  many  affairs  upon  her  hands 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         389 

during  the  minority  of  her  children,  she 
should  have  use  for  all  the  servants  she  had, 
and  may  herself  remember  what  she  said  to 
me,  wherein  if  I  have  fail'd  to  execute  her 
commands,  it  was  because  I  did  not  under- 
stand them.  And  so  I  took  my  leave  of  her 
Majesty  ;  Madam  le  Cursol  foUow'd  me  to 
the  middle  of  the  room,  where  she  took  her 
leave  of  me,  and  Madame  le  Curton  did  the 
same,  and  thus  I  return'd  to  my  own  house. 
Some  months  after  my  return  home,  I  had 
news  brought  me  from  all  sides,  of  the  strange 
language  and  most  audacious  speeches  the 
Ministers  of  the  new  faith  impudently  utter'd, 
even  against  the  Royal  Authority.  I  was 
moreover  told  that  they  impos'd  taxes  upon 
the  people,  made  Captains,  and  listed  Souldiers, 
keeping  their  Assemblies  in  the  Houses  of 
several  Lords  of  the  Country,  who  were  of 
this  new  Religion  ;  which  was  the  first  be- 
ginning and  cause  of  all  those  Mischiefs  and 
Massacres  they  have  since  exercis'd  upon  one 
another.  I  saw  the  evil  daily  to  encrease, 
but  saw  no  one  who  appear'd  on  the  King's 
behalf  to  oppose  it.  I  heard  also  that  the 
greatest  part  of  the  Officers  of  the  Treasury 
were  of  this  religion  (the  nature  of  man  being 
greedy  of  Novelty)  and  the  worst  of  all,  and 
from  whence  proceeded  all  the  mischief,  was. 


390        BLAISE  DE    MONLUC 

that  those  of  the  long  Robe,  the  man  of 
Justice  in  the  Parliaments  and  Senachalseys, 
and  other  Judges,  abandoned  the  ancient 
Religion,  and  that  of  the  King,  to  embrace 
the  new  one.  I  met  also  with  strange  names 
of  Surveillans,  Deacons,  Consistories,  Sinods 
and  Colloquies,  having  never  before  break- 
fasted of  such  viands.  I  heard  that  the 
Surveillans  had  Bulls  pizzles  by  them  called 
lohanots,  with  which  they  misus'd,  and  very 
cruelly  beat  the  poor  Peasants  if  they  went 
not  to  their  Conventicles  ;  the  people  being 
so  totally  abandoned  by  Justice,  that  if  any 
one  went  to  complain,  they  receiv'd  nothing 
but  injury  instead  of  redress,  and  not  a 
Serjeant  that  durst  attempt  to  execute  any 
thing  in  the  behalf  of  the  Catholicks,  but  for 
the  Hugonots  only  (for  so  they  were  call'd, 
though  I  know  not  why)  the  rest  of  the 
Judges  and  Officers  who  were  Catholicks 
being  so  over-aw'd  that  they  durst  not  have 
commanded  so  much  as  an  Information  to  be 
made  for  fear  of  their  lives.  All  these  things 
together  were  presages  to  me  of  what  I  have 
since  seen  come  to  pass,  and  returning  from 
another  house  of  mine  to  that  of  Stillac,  I 
found  the  Town  of  La  Plume  besieg'd  by 
three  or  four  hundred  men.  I  had  my  Son 
Captain  Montluc  with  me,  whom  I  sent  with 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         391 

all  sorts  of  fair  language  (for  I  had  no  more 
than  ten  or  twelve  horse  in  my  Company) 
to  try  to  perswade  them  to  desist.  Wherein 
he  prevail'd  so  far  that  he  overcame  the 
Brimonts,  the  principal  heads  of  this  enter- 
prize  (which  was  undertaken  to  rescue  two 
prisoners  of  their  Religion,  that  the  Magi- 
strates of  La  Plume  had  for  some  disorders 
committed.)  My  son  having  promised  them 
that  if  they  would  retire  I  would  cause  them 
to  be  deliver'd  ;  they  took  his  word,  and 
drew  off  from  before  the  Town.  The  next 
day  accordingly  I  went  to  speak  with  the 
Officers  of  the  said  City,  to  whom  having 
remonstrated  that  for  these  two  Prisoners 
they  ought  not  to  suffer  a  sedition  to  be  set 
on  foot,  they  brought  them  out  to  me,  and 
let  them  go. 

But  to  return  to  my  first  subject,  having 
heard  and  seen  all  these  affairs  and  novelties 
which  still  much  more  disclosed  themselves 
after  my  return,  and  after  the  death  of  the 
King  (for  they  now  explain'd  themselves  in 
down-right  Terms)  than  before,  I  deliberated 
to  return  to  Court,  no  more  to  stir  from  the 
Queen  and  her  Children,  but  to  die  at  their 
feet  in  opposition  to  all  such  as  should 
present  themselves  against  them,  according 


392         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

to  the  promise  1  had  made  to  the  Queen, 
and  put  my  self  upon  my  way  in  order  to 
this  resolution.  The  Court  was  then  at  St 
German  en  I'Aye.  I  staid  but  two  dayes  at 
Paris,  and  at  my  coming  to  St  Germains 
found  not  one  person  of  the  House  of  Guise, 
nor  any  other  but  the  Queen,  the  King  of 
Navarre,  the  Prince  of  Conde,  and  the 
Cardinal  of  Ferrara,  where  I  was  very  well 
received  by  her  Majesty,  and  by  them  all. 
The  Queen  and  the  King  of  Navarre  draw- 
ing me  apart,  enquir'd  of  me  how  affairs 
stood  in  Guienne  ;  to  which  I  made  answer, 
that  they  were  not  yet  very  ill,  but  that  1 
fear'd  they  would  every  day  grow  worse  and 
worse,  telling  them  withall  the  reasons  why 
I  conceiv'd  that  it  would  not  be  long  before 
they  would  break  into  open  arms.  I  staid 
there  but  five  dayes  in  which  time  news 
came  that  the  Hugonots  were  risen  at 
Marmanda,  and  had  kill'd  all  the  Religious 
of  the  Order  of  St  Francis,  and  burnt  their 
Monastery :  immediately  came  other  news 
of  the  Massacre  the  Catholics  had  made  of 
the  Hugonots  at  Cahors,  with  that  of 
Grenade  near  unto  Tholouze.  After  that 
came  news  of  the  death  of  Monsieur  de 
Fumel,  barbarously  massacred  by  his  own 
Tenants      who     were      Hugonots  ;     which 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         393 

troubled  the  Queen  more  than  all  the  rest, 
and  then  it  was  that  her  Majesty  saw  that 
what  I  had  prophecied  to  her,  that  they 
would  not  long  abstain  from  arms,  was  very 
true.  They  were  six  dayes  before  they 
could  resolve  at  which  end  to  begin  to 
extinguish  this  fire.  The  King  of  Navarre 
would  that  the  Queen  should  write  to 
Monsieur  de  Burie  to  take  order  in  those 
affairs  ;  but  the  Queen  said  that  if  none  but 
he  put  their  hands  to  the  work,  there  would 
be  no  great  matters  done,  by  which  she 
implied  some  jealousie  of  him  ;  and  I  know 
what  he  said  to  me,  '  A  little  thing  will  serve 
'to  render  me  suspected.'  I  perceiv'd  also 
that  the  King  of  Navarre  was  not  so  kind  to 
me  as  formerly  :  which  I  believe  proceeded 
from  my  own  behaviour,  I  being  not  so 
observant  to  him  as  at  other  times,  and 
never  stirring  from  the  Queen.  In  the  end 
they  resolved  to  send  me  into  Guienne  with 
a  Commission  to  raise  Horse  and  Foot,  and 
to  fall  upon  all  such  as  should  appear  in 
arms.  I  defended  myself  the  best  I  could 
from  this  Employment,  knowing  very  well 
that  it  was  not  a  work  done,  but  a  work 
that  was  only  about  to  begin,  and  such  as 
requir'd  a  great  Master  to  execute  it  as  it 
ought  to  be  ;  and  therefore  remain'd  at  this 


394         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

bout  constant  not  to  take  it  upon  me.  The 
next  morning  the  Queen  and  the  King  of 
Navarre  sent  for  me,  and  the  Queen  had  in 
the  interval  commanded  Monsieur  de  Valence 
my  brother  to  persuade  me  to  accept  of  this 
Commission  ;  so  that  when  I  came  before 
them,  after  several  Remonstrances  they 
made  me,  I  was  constrain'd  to  accept  of  it, 
provided  that  Monsieur  de  Burie  might  be 
joyn'd  in  the  Commission,  for  I  would  have 
him  have  his  part  of  the  Cake.  But  the 
Queen  would  by  no  means  hear  of  it, 
alledging  but  too  many  reasons  (Princes 
may  say  what  they  please)  till  in  the  end  I 
was  forc'd  to  tell  her  Majesty  plainly,  that  in 
case  he  was  not  comprehended  in  the 
Commission,  he  being  the  Kings  Lieutenant 
as  he  was,  would  underhand  strew  so  many 
Traverses  and  difficulties  in  my  way,  that  I 
should  never  effect  anything  to  purpose  ; 
which  at  last  they  allow'd  to  be  a  sufficient 
reason,  and  let  it  pass  according  to  my  own 
desire.  The  same  Commission  they  gave 
me  for  Guienne,  they  also  gave  Monsieur  de 
Cursol  for  the  Province  of  Languedcc, 
giving  us  both  in  charge,  that  which  of  us 
soever  should  first  have  dispatch'd  our  own 
business,  should  go  help  his  fellow,  if  he 
should  stand  in  need.     Monsieur  de  Cursol 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         395 

was  no  more  of  this  new  Religion  than  I, 
and  without  all  doubt  afterward  turn'd  to  it 
more  out  of  some  discontent,  than  for  any 
devotion,  for  he  was  no  great  Divine,  no 
more  than  I  was  ;  but  I  have  known  many 
turn  to  this  Religion  out  of  pure  spite,  who 
have  afterwards  very  much  repented.  We 
both  of  us  together  took  our  leaves  of  the 
Queen  and  the  King  of  Navarre,  and  went 
to  Paris,  and  Monsieur  de  Valence  with  us. 
I  demanded  two  Counsellors  of  that  part  of 
France  to  sit  upon  life  and  death  (fearing 
that  those  of  the  Country  would  do  no  good, 
being  that  some  of  them  would  encline  to 
the  Catholicks,  and  others  to  the  Hugonots) 
and  had  given  me  two  of  the  damnedest 
Rogues  in  the  whole  Kingdom,  one  whereof 
was  Compain  a  Counsellor  of  the  great 
Council,  and  the  other  Gerard,  Lieutenant  to 
the  Prevost  d'Hostel,  who  have  since 
gain'd  no  better  a  reputation  than  they  had 
before.  I  repented  me  I  had  demanded 
them  ;  but  I  thought  I  did  well  in  it,  and 
so  I  came  into  Gascony  in  all  diligence. 

3jjl^  ^  ^  ^  ^ 

I  had  scarce  been  four  or  five  days  in  my 
house  Estellac^  when  a  Minister  call'd  la 
Barrelle  carne  to  me  in  the  behalf  of  their 
Churches,  telling  me  that  the  Churches  were 


396         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

exceeding  glad  of  my  coming,  and  the 
Authority  the  Queen  had  given  me,  being 
now  assur'd  to  obtain  Justice  against  those 
that  had  Massacred  their  Brethren.  To 
which  I  made  answer,  that  he  might  be 
confident  all  such  as  should  appear  in  fault, 
should  be  certainly  punish'd.  He  then 
told  me  that  he  had  in  Commission  from 
the  Churches  to  make  me  a  handsome 
present,  and  such  a  one  as  therewith  I 
should  have  reason  to  be  well  satisfied.  I 
told  him,  that  there  was  no  need  of  any 
presents  to  me,  forasmuch  as  my  integrity 
would  oblige  me  to  do  my  duty,  and  that 
for  all  the  presents  in  the  world,  I  was  never 
to  be  made  to  do  any  thing  contrary  to  it. 
He  then  told  me,  that  the  Catholicks  had 
declar'd  they  would  never  endure  to  have 
Justice  executed  upon  them,  and  that  there- 
fore he  had  in  Commission  from  all  the 
Churches,  to  present  me  with  four  thousand 
foot  in  good  equipage,  and  paid.  This  word 
began  to  put  me  into  fury,  and  made  me 
angrily  demand  of  him,  what  men,  and  of 
what  Nation  must  those  Four  thousand  Foot 
be  .''  to  which  he  made  answer,  of  this  very 
Country,  and  of  the  Churches  ;  whereupon 
I  ask'd  him,  if  he  had  power  to  present  the 
Kings  Subjects,   and    to    put    men  into  the 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         397 

Field,  without  the  command  of  the  King, 
or  the  Queen  who  was  at  this  time  Regent 
of  the  Kingdom,  and  so  declar'd  by  the 
Estates  held  at  Orleans.  *  O  you  confounded 

*  rogues,'  said  I,  '  I  see  very  well  what  you 
*aim  at,  it  is  to  set  divisions  in  the  King- 

*  dom,  and  'tis  you   Ministers  that  are  the 

*  Authors  of  this  godly  work,  under  colour 

*  of  the  Gospel '  ;  and  thereupon  fell  to 
swearing,  and  seizing  him  by  the  collar,  said 
these   words,    '  I     know   not   Rascal,    what 

*  should  hinder  me,  that  I  do  not  my  self 

*  hang  thee  at  this  window,  for  I  have  with 

*  my  own  hands   strangled   twenty  honester 

*  men  than  thou.'  Who  then  trembling, 
said  to  me,  *  Sir  I  beseech  you  let  me  go  to 
'  Monsieur  de  Burie,  for  I  have  order  from 

*  the  Churches  to  go  speak  with  him,  and  be 

*  not  offended  with  me,  who   only  came  to 

*  deliver  a  message,  neither  do  or  do  it  for 
*any    other  end,   but   only    to    defend    our 

*  selves.'  Whereupon  I  bade  him  go  and 
be  hang'd  to  all  the  Devils  in  Hell,  both  he, 
and  all  the  rest  of  his  fellow  Ministers,  and 
so  he  departed  from  me,  as  sufficiently 
frighted  as  ever  he  was  in  his  life.  This 
action  got  me  very  ill  repute  amongst  the 
Ministers,  for  it  was  no  less  than  hi^h 
Treason  to  touch  one  of  them. 


398         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

Nevertheless  a  few  days  after  came  another 
Minister  called  Boenormant,  alias  la  Piene, 
sent  in  the  behalf  their  Churches,  (as  he 
said)  to  entreat  me  to  accept  the  present  and 
offer  that  Barelle  had  made  me,  saying  that 
it  was  not  for  the  intention  I  imagin'd,  and 
that  without  costing  the  King  so  much  as  a 
Liard,  I  might  render  equal  Justice  both  to 
the  one  party  and  the  other.  At  this  I  was 
almost  ready  to  lose  all  manner  of  patience, 
and  with  great  vehemency  reproach'd  him 
with  the  le\'ying  of  money  and  the  listing  of 
men,  but  he  deny'd  it  all,  whereupon  I  said 
to  him,  '  But  what  if  I  prove  to  you,  that  no 

*  longer  since  then  yesterday,  you  listed  men 

*  at  la  Plume,  what  will  you  say  ? '  To 
which  he  made  answer,  '  That  if  it  was  so,  it 

*  was  more  than  he  knew.'  Now  he  had  a 
Souldier  with  him,  that  had  formerly  been 
in  my  Company  in  Piedmont,  call'd  Antragues, 
which  made  me  turn  to  him,  saying  *  Will 

*  you    Captain    Antragues    deny,    that   you 

*  yesterday  listed  men  at  la  Plume  .'' '  To 
which,  seeing  himself  caught,  he  made 
answer.  That  indeed  the  Church  of  Nerac 
had  made  him  their  Captain.  Whereupon 
I  began  to  say, '  What  the  Devil  Churches 

*  are  those  that  make  Captains  ? '  and  fell  to 
reproach    him    with    the    good    usage    and 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         399 

respect  I  had  shew'd  him  when  he  was  in 
my  Company  ;  forbidding  them  ever  again 
to  come  to  me  with  the  like  Errand,  which 
if  they  did,  I  should  not  have  the  patience 
to  forbear  laying  hands  upon  them  ;  and  so 
they  departed. 

They  afterwards  began  to  rise  at  Agen, 
and  to  make  themselves  Masters  of  the 
Town,  in  which  were  the  Seigneurs  de  Memi 
and  Castet-Segrat,  and  the  Seneschal  of 
Agenois  ;  Poton  was  also  there,  who  did  all 
that  in  him  lay  to  pacific  affairs,  and  came  to 
me,  entreating  me  to  go  to  Agen,  and  that 
all  obedience  should  be  paid  me  there  ;  there 
came  a  Minister  also  along  with  him,  who 
would  engage  his  honor  to  me  in  the  business, 
but  I  did  not  take  that  for  good  Security. 
The  Seneschal  proceeded  with  integrity,  and 
I  believe  it  would  have  cost  him  his  life  as  well 
as  me  mine,  had  I  gone  thither,  for  he  would 
have  defended  me  the  best  he  could  ;  and  it 
came  so  near  it,  that  at  their  importunity,  I 
promis'd  to  be  there  the  next  morning.  But 
the  Sieurs  de  la  Lande  and  de  Nort  in  the 
mean  time  dispatch'd  away  a  Messenger  in 
private  to  me,  to  give  me  warning  not  to 
come,  if  I  had  any  care  of  my  life,  for  if  I 
did,  I  was  a  dead  man  ;  which  made  me 
send  them  word,  that  I  would  not  pass  over 


400         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

the  River,  but  if  they  could  come  to  a  House 
at  the  Ferry,  I  was  content  to  give  them  the 
meeting  there.  When  they  saw  they  could 
not  inveigle  me  into  their  power,  they  con- 
sented to  come  to  the  place  appointed,  whither 
I  accordingly  went  to  meet  them  with  five 
and  twenty  Souldiers,  whom  I  order'd  not  to 
stir  from  the  water  side,  and  there  we  din'd 
together.  After  dinner  we  fell  to  debate 
what  was  best  to  be  done  ;  where  I  told 
them,  *  that  in  the  first  place,  and  before  we 

*  proceeded  to  any  further  particulars,  they 
'  were  to  content  themselves  with  the  Church, 
'  that  Monsieur  de  Burie  had  allow'd  them  for 
'  their  meetings,  which  was  a  Parish  Church, 

*  and  that  they  must  quit  the  Jacobins,  and 

*  permit  the  Religious  to  re-enter,  to  perform 
'  their  offices  there  ;  that  they  must  lay  down 
'  their  arms,  and  receiv  the  one  half  of  the 

*  King  of  Navarres  Company  into  their  City 
'  for    a  Garrison,  and  the  other  half  should 

*  remain  at  Condom.'  I  could  never  per- 
swade  them  to  condesend  to  this  ;  wherefore 
taking  the  Seneschal  of  Agen  aside,  I  said  to 
him,  '  Do  you  not  evidently  see,  that  they 
'aim  at  a  subversion,  and  to  make  themselves 
'  Masters  of  Cities  ?     1  would  not  advise  you 

*  to  stay  with  these  people  ;  for  you  will  be 

*  necessitated,  either  to  let  them  do  what  they 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         401 

'  will,  or  resolve  to  have  your  throat  cut,  we 

*  have  a  fair  example  in  Monsieur  de  Funill  : 

*  consider  with  your  self  what  is  best  for  you 

*  to  do,  and  so  farewel '  ;  and  so  without  any 
more  words,  I  abruptly  left  them,  and  return'd 
to  Stillac,  where  at  my  coming  home  I  found 
a  Farmer  of  mine  of  Puch  de  Gontaut,  call'd 
Labat,  who  came  to  tell  me  in  behalf  of  their 
Churches  that  I  was  too  cholerick,  and  had 
not  patience  rightly  to  understand  what  the 
Ministers  Barrelle  and  Boenormont  had  to 
say  to  me,  and  to  present  me  withal,  which 
was,  that  the  Churches  made  me  a  tender  of 
Thirty  thousand  Crowns,  provided  I  would 
not  take  arms  against  them,  but  let  them 
alone,  without  desiring  nevertheless  that  I 
should  alter  my  Religion,  and  that  within 
fifteen  days  at  the  furthest,  they  would  bring 
me  the  money  to  my  own  house.  In  answer 
to  which  I  told  him,  That  were  it  not  for  the 
love  I  bore  him,  and  also  that  he  was  my 
Tenant,  I  would  handle  him  after  another 
manner  than  I  had  done  Barrelle  and 
Boenormont,  and  clap  a  dagger  at  his  bosom, 
that  he  knew  very  well  I  had  the  knack  on't, 
and  therefore  henceforward  let  neither  he, 
nor  any  other  be  so  impudent  as  to  make  any 
such  Proposals  to  me,  for  I  would  infallibly 
be  the  death  of  them  if  they  did.     Where- 

2  c 


402        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

upon,  very  sufficiently  frighted,  he  immedi- 
ately left  me  to  return  to  Nerac,  to  carry 
back  my  answer  to  his  Church. 

Eight  days  had  not  passed  after  this  before 
Captain  Sendat  came  again  to  tempt  me  with 
much  greater  offers  then  before  ;  for  he  made 
me  an  offer  of  forty  thousand  Crowns,  he 
himself  having  made  them  a  promise  to  be  of 
their  party,  provided  I  did  not  take  arms 
against  them  ;  for  which  they  also  gave  him 
Two  thousand  Crowns.  We  talk'd  a  pretty 
while  of  the  business,  and  when  he  saw  he 
could  no  other  way  prevail  with  me  to  take 
their  money,  he  prest  and  advis'd  me  to  take 
it,  and  lend  the  money  to  the  King,  where- 
with to  make  war  against  them.  To  which 
I  ;^made  answer.  That  I  very  well  perceiv'd 
he  did  not  understand  what  it  was  to  bring 
the  reputation  of  an  honest  man  in  dispute  : 

*  For  in  the  first  place,'  said  1,  *  they  will  not 

*  give  me  this  money,  without  first  making 

*  me  take  an  Oath  not  to  bear  arms  against 
'  them,  which  engagement  they  will  have  in 

*  writing    to  shew    to    their    Churches,    to 

*  make  them  part  with  their  money  ;  and 
'  besides,  it  is  impossible  but  that  this 
*must  come  to  light,  for  fire  can  never  be 

*  so    cover'd   and   conceal'd   but    that    some 

*  smoak  will  issue   out.      The   Queen   will 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         403 

*  wonder  that  I  sit  still  in  my  own  house  and 

*  do    nothing,   she  will    solicite  me    to  take 

*  arms,  which  if  I  then  refuse  to  do,  will  you 

*  not  that  both  she  and  all  the  world  believe 
'  I  have  taken  this  money,  and  am  a  brib'd 

*  and  corrupted  fellow  ?     On  the  other  side, 

*  should  I  give  this  money  to  the  King,  his 

*  Council  must  needs  take  notice,  that  I  have 

*  taken  an   Oath  not  to   bear  arms,  and  yet 

*  they    know,  that    upon    my   receiving   the 

*  Order,  I  have  sworn  to  do  it,  and  to  defend 

*  his  person  and  his  Crown  against  all  the 
'world.     How  then  can  you  imagine,  that 

*  either  the  Queen  now,  or  the  King  when  he 

*  grows  up,  can  look  upon  me  as  an  honest 

*  man,  when  I  have  taken  two  Oaths  expressly 

*  contrary  to  one   another  ?     Some  will  say 

*  that  I   took  the   money  at   first  upon   the 

*  account  of  infidelity  ;    but  that  afterwards 

*  repenting,  I  would  palliate  my  Knavery  by 

*  giving  it  to  the  King.     Others  will  say  that 

*  the  Queen   ought  no  more  to  repose  any 

*  trust  in  me,  having  taken  two  Oaths  posi- 
'  tively  contrary  to  one  another,  and  that  since 

*  I  made  no  conscience  of  cheating  the  Hugo- 

*  nots  with  an  Oath,  I  would  make  as  little 

*  to  deceive  the  King.  Thus  shall  my  honor 
'  be  brought  in  question,  and  I  with  just 
'  reason  sentenc'd  for  ever  incapable  of  any 


404         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

place  amongst  honest  men,  and  such  as  are 
good  and  loyal  Subjects  to  their  Prince. 
What  will  then  become  of  me,  and  what  a 
Monster  of  men  shall  I  be,  when  I  have  lost 
the  honor  I  have  fought  for  all  my  life,  and 
parted  with  my  blood  to  obtain  ?  I  will  not 
only  say,  that  the  Gentlemen  of  France  will 
avoid  my  conversation,  but  even  the  basest 
of  the  people  also  will  be  asham'd  of  my 
company.  See  then  Captain  Sendat  what  a 
fine  condition  1  should  be  in,  should  I  follow 
your  advice  :  In  return  of  which,  I  will  give 
you  better  ;  I  pray  frequent  these  people 
no  more,  you  have  ever  been  brought  up 
and  born  arms  with  the  Montluc's,  let  me 
entreat  you  to  take  them  up  now  for  the 
service  of  the  King,  and  do  not  go  over  to 
that  ridiculous  Religion.  Our  forefathers 
were  honester  men  than  they,  and  I  cannot 
believe  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  amongst  a 
people  who  rise  in  rebellion  against  their 
King  ;  Here  is  a  hopeful  beginning.'  He 
promis'd  to  follow  my  counsel,  and  so 
departed. 

By  my  behaviour  in  this  affair,  I  suffici- 
ently manifested  to  all  the  world  that 
Avarice  could  never  make  me  abandon  my 
honor  nor  my  conscience  to  falsifie  the  Oath 
I  have  in  the  presence  of  God  made  to  the 


WARS  OF   RELIGION         405 

King,  loyally  and  faithfully  to  serve  him,  and 
to  defend  his  Person  and  his  Crown,  and  yet 
some  have  not  been  asham'd  to  accuse  me  of 
polling  from  the  King's  Treasery,  and  of  im- 
posing taxes  upon  the  Country  to  enrich 
my  self.  God  and  the  truth  are  on  my  side, 
and  the  testimony  of  the  Estates  of  Guienne, 
who  will  make  it  know  to  all  those  who 
have  made  all  these  false  reports  of  me  to 
their  Majesties,  that  I  have  never  done  any 
such  thing.  But  letting  this  alone,  1  will 
return  to  the  Justice  Monsieur  de  Burie  and 
I  did  with  our  vertuous  Commissioners 
Compain  and  Gerard,  v/ho  remain'd  a  long 
time  without  appearing  in  any  place,  or  it 
being  so  much  as  known  where  they  were. 
Which  made  me  solicite  Monsieur  de  Burie 
to  let  us  speedily  fall  to  our  business,  and 
that  since  our  Commissioners  did  not  come, 
we  would  make  use  of  the  Counsellors  of 
Agen.  Yet  still  we  linger 'd  away  the  time 
in  delays,  whilst  1  had  intelligence  daily 
brought  me  that  the  Hugonots  continued 
their  damnable  Conspiracies.  There  was  at 
this  time  a  Lieutenant  of  the  Tribunal  of 
Condom,  call'd  du  Franc,  a  very  honest  man 
and  a  good  servant  of  the  King's,  who  was 
once  half  in  mind  to  have  gfone  over  to  this 
new  Religion  (for  he  was  not  the  Son  of  a 


4o6        BLAISE   DE  MONLUC 

good  Mother,  that  was  not  one  of  them) 
this  man  was  one  day  call'd  to  a  Council,  in 
which  there  were  some  persons  of  a  very 
great  quality,  and  where  he  heard  an  accursed 
and  execrable  Proposition,  both  being  once 
propos'd,  he  durst  not  when  it  came  to  his 
turn  to  deliver  his  opinion  say  otherwise 
than  the  rest  had  done,  fearing  should  he 
contradict  it  they  would  put  him  to  death, 
lest  he  should  discover  their  Council,  and 
was  therefore  constrain'd  to  go  through  with 
it  as  the  rest  had  done.  I  shall  not  say  where 
this  Council  was  kept,  much  less  name  the 
persons  who  were  present  at  it,  for  the 
Council  and  the  Proposition  signifie  nothing 
now,  and  there  were  some  in  the  Company, 
who  are  since  become  very  honest  men.  He 
sent  to  me  to  entreat  that  he  might  have  some 
private  conference  with  me,  betwixt  Sampoy 
and  Condom,  and  appointed  an  hour.  I  took 
no  more  company  with  me,  but  one  Footman 
only,  and  he  another,  for  so  we  had  agreed, 
and  we  met  in  a  meadow  that  lay  under  the 
House  of  Monsieur  de  Sainctorens,  where  he 
told  me  all  that  had  been  said  in  the  Council, 
and  what  had  there  been  concluded,  which 
was  such  a  Conspiracy  as  (so  God  shall  help 
me)  made  my  hair  stand  on  end  to  hear  it. 
After  he  had  ended  his  story,  he  made  me 


WARS   OF   RELIGION        407 

the  Remonstrance  of  an  honest  man,  telling 
me  that  now  an  occasion  presented  it  self 
wherein  I  might  acquire  honor  to  my  self 
and  those  who  should  descend  from  me  for 
ever,  which  was  with  a  couragious  and 
magnanimous  heart  to  take  arms,  and  to 
expose  my  life  to  all  dangers  for  the  safe- 
guard of  those  poor  children  who  were  the 
sons  of  so  good  a  King,  and  as  yet  in  no 
better  an  age  to  defend  themselves  than 
if  they  were  in  their  cradles,  and  that  God 
would  assist  me,  seeing  me  take  arms  to 
protect  the  innocent  and  those  who  were 
no  way  able  to  defend  themselves.  To 
this,  this  good  man  added  so  many  and  so 
powerful  remonstrances  that  (as  I  shall  be 
sav'd)  the  tears  came  into  my  eyes,  entreating 
me  withal,  not  to  discover  him,  for  if  I 
should,  he  was  a  dead  man.  He  told  me 
further,  that  as  to  what  concern'd  my  self, 
they  had  consulted  about  me,  and  determined 
to  surprize  me  in  one  place  or  another,  and 
that  if  they  could  get  me  into  their  hands, 
they  would  deal  worse  by  me,  than  they  had 
done  by  Monsieur  de  Fumel.  Nothing  of 
all  their  Conspiracies  was  conceal'd  from  the 
said  Lieutenant,  because  they  thought  him 
sure  of  their  side,  so  dexterously  did  he 
behave    himself    amongst    them  ;    but    he 


4o8         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

afterwards  shew'd  them  the  contrary,  several 
times  exposing  his  life  in  the  City  of 
Condom,  with  his  Sword  in  his  hand,  in 
defence  of  the  Kings  Authority  :  But 
however  it  came  to  pass,  he  was  afterwards 
either  by  poyson,  or  some  other  violent 
means,  dispatch'd  out  of  the  world  for  this 
very  business.  I  thought  he  had  never 
discover'd  himself  but  to  me  only,  but  I 
found  that  he  had  told  the  same  thing  to 
Monsieur  de  Gondrin,  who  was  a  very 
intimate  friend  of  his,  and  to  Monsieur  de 
Maillac,  Receiver  of  Guienne,  for  they  were 
both  as  it  were  Brothers.  For  my  part,  I 
never  open'd  my  lips  concerning  it  to  any 
one  living,  but  to  the  Queen  at  Tholouze, 
by  the  chimney  of  her  Chamber,  at  v/hich 
her  Majesty  was  very  much  astonish 'd,  as 
she  had  very  good  reason  to  be,  for  more 
horrid  and  Diabolical  designs  were  never 
heard  of,  and  yet  very  great  persons  were  of 
the  Conspiracy. 

Having  heard  all  these  abominable  designs, 
1  retir'd  to  my  own  house  at  Sampoy ; 
where  I  concluded  with  my  self  to  lay  aside 
all  manner  of  fear,  resolving  to  sell  my  skin 
as  dear  as  I  could,  as  knowing  very  well, 
that  if  I  once  fell  into  their  hands,  and  was 
left  to  their  mercy,  the  greatest  piece  of  my 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         409 

body  would  be  no  bigger  than  my  little 
finger.  Moreover,  determining  to  execute 
all  the  cruelty  I  could,  and  especially  against 
those  who  spoke  against  the  Royal  Majesty  ; 
for  I  saw  very  well  that  gentle  ways  would 
never  reclaim  those  canker'd  and  inveterate 
Rascals.  Monsieur  de  Burie  departed  from 
Bourdeaux,  sending  me  word  of  the  day  he 
intended  to  be  at  Clairac,  that  we  might 
there  together  resolve  where  we  ought  to 
begin  our  Circuit.  He  sent  me  also  Letters 
the  Commissioners  had  writ  to  him,  wherein 
they  appointed  us  to  come  to  Cahors,  there 
to  begin  against  the  Catholicks  ;  in  answer 
to  which  I  writ  to  him  back  again,  that  he 
should  well  consider  the  Patent,  and  that 
there  he  would  find  the  Queen  had  com- 
manded us  to  go  and  begin  at  Fumel.  The 
Letters  of  these  two  honourable  Gentlemen 
were  of  so  audacious  and  impudent  a  stile  as 
that  by  them  they  gave  us  to  understand 
that  they  were  the  principal  Commissioners, 
and  that  we  had  no  authority,  saving  to 
justifie  their  proceedings,  and  to  be  assisting 
in  the  execution  of  their  decrees. 

Now  there  was  a  Village  two  Leagues 
from  Estillac,  called  S.  Mezard,  the  greatest 
part  whereof  belong'd  to  the  Sieur  de 
Rouillac     a    Gentleman    of    eight    or    ten 


4IO         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

thousand  Livers  a  year.  Four  or  five  days 
before  I  came  thither  the  Hugonots  his 
tenants  were  risen  up  against  him,  because 
he  ofFer'd  to  hinder  them  from  breaking 
open  the  Church,  and  taking  away  the 
ChaHces,  and  kept  him  four  and  twenty 
hours  besieg'd  in  his  own  house  ;  so  that 
had  it  not  been  for  a  Brother  of  his,  call'd 
Monsieur  de  S.  Aignan,  and  some  other 
Gentlemen  his  neighbours,  who  came  to  his 
rehef,  they  had  certainly  cut  his  throat,  as 
also  those  of  Ostfort  would  have  done  to 
the  Sieurs  de  Cuq,  and  de  la  Montjoye,  so 
that  already  there  began  to  be  open  War 
against  the  Gentry,  I  privately  got  two 
Hangmen  (which  they  have  since  call'd  my 
Lacquais,  because  they  were  very  often  at 
my  heels)  and  sent  to  Monsieur  de  Fonte- 
nilles,  my  Son  in  Law  (who  carried  my 
Cornet,  and  was  at  Beaumont  de  Lomange, 
where  he  lay  in  Garison),  that  he  should 
come  away  upon  Thursday  in  the  beginning 
of  the  night,  and  by  break  of  day  be  at  the 
said  S.  Mezard,  there  to  seize  of  those 
persons  whose  names  I  had  sent  him  in 
writing,  and  whereof  the  principal  was 
Nephew  to  the  Advocate  of  the  King  and 
Queen  of  Navarre  at  Lectoure,  call'd 
Verdery.     Now  the   said  Advocate  was  he 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         411 

that  fomented  all  the  Sedition,  and  I  had 
private  word  sent  me  that  he  would  come 
that  very  Thursday  to  S.  Mezard,  for  he 
had  some  estate  there.  I  was  resolv'd  to 
begin  with  this  fellows  head,  forasmuch  as 
having  advertiz'd  the  King  of  Navarre  at 
Court  that  the  said  Verdery  and  other  of 
his  Officers  at  Lectoure  were  the  principal 
Incendiaries  of  Rebellion,  and  having  writ 
as  much  to  the  Queen  of  the  Kings  Officers, 
she  had  writ  back  that  I  should  begin  with 
those  people  first,  and  the  King  of  Navarre 
had  writ  in  his  Letter  that  if  I  hang'd  the 
Kings  Officers  on  the  lower  branches  of  a 
Tree,  I  should  hang  his  on  the  uppermost  of 
all.  But  Verdery  came  not,  which  was  well 
for  him,  for  if  he  had  I  had  branch'd  him. 
Monsieur  de  Fontenilles  perform'd  a  very 
long  march,  and  came  by  break  of  day  to 
S.  Mezard,  where  at  his  first  coming  he 
took  the  Nephew  of  Verdery,  and  two  others, 
and  a  Deacon,  the  rest  escap'd  away,  there 
being  not  any  one  who  knew  the  Houses,  for 
there  was  not  so  much  as  any  one  man  at 
arms  or  Archer  who  had  any  knowledge  of 
the  place.  A  Gentleman,  call'd  Monsieur 
de  Corde,  who  liv'd  at  the  said  place,  had 
sent  me  word  that  when  in  the  presence  of 
the   Consuls  he  had  remonstrated  to  them 


412         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

that  they  did  ill,  and  that  the  King  would 
be  highly  displeas'd  with  their  doings, 
they  made  answer,  '  What  King  ?     We  are 

*  the  Kings,  he  that  you  speak  of  is  a  little 

*  turdy  Roylet,  we'll  whip   his   breech,    and 

*  set  him   to    a   trade,   to  teach  him  to  get 

*  his  living  as  others  do.'  Neither  was  it  only 
there  that  they  talk'd  at  this  precious  rate, 
but  it  was  common  discourse  in  every  place. 
I  was  ready  to  burst  with  indignation  at  it,  and 
saw  very  well  that  all  this  Language  tended  to 
what  had  been  told  me  by  Lieutenant  du  Franc, 
which,  in  sum,  was  to  make  another  King. 
I  had  agreed  with  Monsieur  de  Sainctorens 
that  he  should  also  take  me  five  or  six  of 
Astefort,  and  especially  one  Captain  Morallet, 
the  chief  Rinp-leader  of  them  all,  and  that  if 
he  could  take  him,  and  those  I  nam'd  to  him, 
he  should  with  good  words  brini2:  them  to  me 
to  S.  Mazard,  the  same  day  that  I  perform'd 
the  execution,  which  was  upon  a  Friday, 
which  nevertheless  that  day  he  could  not  do, 
but  he  snap'd  them  the  Sunday  following, 
and  brought  them  Prisoners  to  Villeneufe. 
So  soon  as  I  came  to  S.  Mazard,  Monsieur 
de  Fonteneilles  presented  the  three  prisoners 
and  the  Deacon,  all  bound,  in  the  Church- 
yard, in  which  there  was  yet  remaining  the 
foot  of  a  Cross  of  stone  they  had  broken. 


WARS   OF   RELIGION         413 

that  might  be  about  some  two  foot  high.  I 
presently  call'd  Monsieur  de  Corde  and  the 
Consuls,  bidding  them  upon  pain  of  death  to 
deliver  truly  what  words  they  heard  these 
fellows  speak  against  the  King.  The  Consuls 
were  afraid,  and  durst  say  nothing  ;  where- 
upon I  told  the  said  Sieur  de  Corde  that  it 
belong'd  to  him  to  speak  first,  and  therefore 
bid  him  speak  ;  upon  which  he  maintain'd 
to  their  faces,  that  they  had  spoke  the  fore- 
mention'd  words,  and  then  the  Consuls  told 
the  truth,  and  justified  the  same  the  Sieur  de 
Corde  had  done.  I  had  my  two  Hangmen 
behind  me  very  well  equip'd  with  their 
tackle,  and  especially  with  a  sharp  Ax,  when 
flying  in  great  fury  upon  this  Verdere,  I 
took  him  by  the  collar,  saying  to  him,  '  O 

*  thou  confounded  Rogue  !  durst  thou  defile 

*  thy  wicked  tongue  against  the  Majesty  of 

*  thy  King  and  Sovereign  ? '  To  which  he 
reply'd  *Ah  Sir,  have  mercy  upon  a  poor 
'  sinner.'  At  which  more  enrag'd  than  before 
I    said    to    him,   *  Thou   ungracious  Rascal, 

*  would'st  thou  have  me  to  have  mercy  upon 
*thee  who  hadst  no  reverence    nor  respect 

*  for  thy  King,'  and  with  that  push'd  him 
rudely  to  the  ground,  so  that  his  neck  fell 
exactly  upon  the  piece'  of  the  Cross,  crying 
to  the  Hangman,  '  Strike  Villain,'  which  he 


414        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

did,  and  so  nimbly,  that  my  word  and  the 
blow  were  the  one  as  soon  as  the  other,  which 
fetch'd  off  his  head,  and  moreover  above 
another  half  foot  of  the  Cross.  The  other 
two  I  caus'd  to  be  hang'd  upon  an  Elm  that 
was  close  by,  and  beeing  the  Deacon  was  but 
eighteen  years  old,  I  would  not  put  him  to 
death,  as  also  that  he  might  carry  the  news  to 
his  Brethren  ;  but  caus'd  him  nevertheless  to 
be  so  well  whip'd  by  the  Hangman,  that,  as  I 
was  told,  he  dyed  within  ten  or  twelve 
days  after.  This  was  the  first  execution  I 
did  at  my  coming  from  my  own  house 
without  sentence  or  writing  ;  for  in  such 
matters,  I  have  heard,  men  must  begin  with 
execution,  and  if  every  one  that  had 
the  charge  of  Provinces  had  done  the  same, 
they  had  put  out  the  fire  that  has  since  con- 
sum'd  all.  However,  this  served  to  stop 
the  mouths  of  several  seditious  persons,  who 
durst  no  more  speak  of  the  King,  but  with 
respect,  but  in  great  privacy,  and  with  greater 
circumspection  carried  on  their  practices  and 
designs. 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       415 


Two   Commissioners   pass  a   bad  Quarter 
OF  an  Hour  at  Monluc's  hands 

From  thence  we  went  to  Cahors,  where  we 
found  these  venerable  Lords,  who  had 
begun  and  were  already  a  good  way  advanc't 
in  their  process  against  the  Catholicks,  and 
kept  in  prison  Monsieur  de  Viole,  Canon 
and  Archdeacon  of  Cahors,  and  Chancellor 
of  the  University,  a  Gentleman  of  a  family 
of  seven  or  eight  thousand  Livres  a  year 
belonging  to  Monsieur  de  Terride,  de 
Negrepelice,  and  other  Gentlemen  of  the 
Country.  The  Sieur  de  Caumont  des 
Mirandes  had  married  his  Sister  into  this 
Family,  and  was  there  soliciting  for  the  said 
de  Viole,  his  Brother  in  law  with  his 
Children,  and  Nephews  of  the  said  de  Voile, 
and  Madam  de  Bagua,  Sister  to  the  said 
de  Viole.  Monsieur  d'Aussan  was  come 
thither  also,  as  being  Kinsman  to  his  wife, 
and  the  whole  City  was  full  of  Gentry  to 
solicit  in  the  behalf  of  the  said  Sieur  de 
Viole.  Our  reverend  Commissioners  had 
order'd  their  business  so  well  that  they  had 
call'd  in  to  their  assistance  nine  Judges,  six 
whereof  were  Hugonots,  and  the  other  three 
they  had  so  terrified  with  their  power  and 


41 6         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

authority  that  they  pretended  to  have  It  in 
their  Commission,  that  none  of  them  was  to 
dare  to  contradict  what  the  others  said,  and 
especially  Judge  Mage,  being  a  timerous 
person,  durst  not  pronounce  a  syllable  but 
what  the  rest  would  have  him  say.  They 
there  condemn'd  fourteen  or  fifteen  men,  of 
which  not  above  three  had  any  hand  in  the 
Massacre  ;  but  in  revenge  of  the  execution 
we  had  done  at  Fumel,  they  would  put  to 
death  as  many  as  they  could,  justly  or 
unjustly,  and  caus'd  them  to  be  executed  in 
the  Market-place  of  the  City  ;  at  which  both 
the  Magistrates  and  the  clergy  entred  into 
so  violent  an  apprehension  that  they  gave 
themselves  all  for  lost,  seeing  them  to  put 
Monsieur  de  Viole,  and  several  others  upon 
their  Tryal,  who  were  none  of  them  present 
at  the  Massacre.  All  the  Ladies  were 
continually  following  after  me,  seeing  they 
could  obtain  no  satisfactory  answer  from 
Monsieur  de  Burie,  and  Monsieur  de 
Caumont  that  now  is  came  to  speak  to 
Monsieur  de  Burie,  I  think  rather  to  take  an 
occasion  to  quarrel  me  than  for  any  thing 
else,  because  I  had  said  that  he  sufFer'd  a 
Minister  in  the  open  Pulpit  to  speak  against 
the  person  of  the  King  and  his  Royal 
authority  at  Clairac,  of  which  he  was  Abbot, 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       417 

and  he  question'd  me  about  it  in  the  open 
Hall  before  Monsieur  de  Burie  ;  whereupon 
I  told  him,  that  I  had  said  so,  and  that  he 
stood  so  much  obliged  to  the  King  for  the 
benefits  he  had  receiv'd,  that  he  ought  not  to 
have  endured  it,  to  which  he  replied  that  the 
said  Minister  had  not  preached  before  him, 
and  that  although  he  had,  it  was  not  to  me 
to  whom  he  was  to  give  an  account  ;  at 
which  I  had  thought  to  have  flown  upon  him 
with  my  dagger  in  my  hand,  and  he  clapt 
hand  to  his  sword,  when  in  an  instant  fifteen 
or  twenty  Gentlemen  of  mine  leapt  upon 
him,  and  there  was  enough  to  do  to  save  him 
from  being  kill'd.  Monsieur  de  Burie  took 
my  part  in  a  very  high  manner,  and  rattled 
him  to  some  purpose,  insomuch  that  some 
friends  of  his  thurst  him  out  of  the  Hall  to 
save  him,  for  every  one  had  his  sword  drawn, 
and  he  had  not  a  party  sufficient  to  make  it 
an  equal  match  against  the  friends  I  had 
present  there  ;  and  this  was  the  occasion  of 
the  hatred  they  say  he  bears  me,  for  before 
we  were  very  good  friends  ;  but  'tis  the  least 
of  my  care. 

But  to  return  to  our  Justice,  the  Countess 

of  Arein,  who  was  at  Assier,  sent  me  a  Letter 

by   one   of  her   Gentlemen,  call'd  la  Brun, 

wherein  she  entreated  me  to  see  Justice  duly 

2  D 


41 8        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

perform'd,  to  which  I  writ  her  answer  back, 
that  I  would  by  no  means  obstruct  it,  where 
I  saw  there  was  reasonable  and  just  cause, 
and  that  Monsieur  de  Burie  and  I  were  there 
for  no  other  end.  The  next  day  he  return'd 
to  me  again,  and  in  private  entreated  me 
that  I  would  further  the  execution  of  the 
Commissioners  Sentence,  and  that  in  return 
of  so  good  an  office  I  should  not  fail  of  Ten 
thousand  Francs.  He  made  me  this  offer  in 
the  presence  of  a  Merchant  that  sold  pistolets, 
which  he  himself  chose  out  for  me,  telling 
me  that  he  was  privy  to  the  affair,  and  would 
immediately  disburse  the  sum.  I  told  him 
he  did  me  a  very  great  pleasure,  but  that  I 
would  leave  them  in  his  hands,  being  to  go 
to  Monsieur  de  Burie  to  supper,  whose 
lodging  was  hard  by.  By  the  way  as  I  went, 
I  began  to  consider  with  my  self  from  whence 
these  Ten  thousand  francs  should  come  ;  but 
could  not  possibly  imagine,  though  I  was 
satisfied  there  must  be  malice  and  Knavery 
in  the  case.  After  supper,  when  it  grew 
late,  I  retir'd  to  my  Lodging  at  the  Arch- 
deacon Redouls  house,  where  by  the  way  I 
met  Madam  de  Longua,  and  Madame  de 
Viole  hard  by  the  house,  who  passionately 
weeping,  said  to  me  these  words,  *  O  Sir, 
'  Monsieur  de  Viole  is  going  to  be  put  to 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       419 

*  death,  if  you  do  not  stand  his  friend,  for 

*  sentence  is  past  upon  him,  and  this  night 

*  there   is  order   given    to    strangle    him    in 

*  prison,  and  in  the  morning  to  present  him 
'  dead  upon  the  Scaffold.'  All  the  fore- 
mentioned  Lords  and  Gentlemen  had  sent 
away  post  to  the  King  about  this  business, 
but  the  Messenger  had  return'd  too  late, 
if  I  had  not  been.  I  dismist  them  with 
the  best  comfort  I  could,  telling  them 
that  I  would  take  care  to  prevent  execution  ; 
to  which  end  I  appointed  certain  Gens- 
d'armes  of  my  own  Company  to  ride  the 
Patronille  before  the  prison  and  before  the 
Commissioners  Lodgings,  and  never  put  off 
my  cloths  my  self  of  all  that  night.  It  was 
very  late  before  the  Archdeacon  Redoul  come 
home,  when  so  soon  as  I  heard  he  was  come 
into  his  chamber,  I  sent  for  him  to  talk 
with  him  about  the  business.  He  had  been 
privately  enquiring  after  the  affairs  of 
Monsieur  de  Viole  and  the  other  Prisoners, 
who  were  all  people  of  good  quality,  and 
brough  tthis  account  that  they  were  all  con- 
demn'd  to  dye,  and  that  for  fear  of  scandal, 
and  that  no  commotion  might  arise,  they 
were  to  be  dispatch'd  secretly  in  prison  by 
torch-light,  and  that  by  their  Process  and 
Judgment   they  had    divided  the  City  into 


420        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

three  distinct  Corporations,  to  wit,  the 
Church  into  one,  the  Magistracy  into 
another,  and  the  third  Estate  into  the  last  ; 
all  which  three  distinct  bodies  were  sentenc'd 
to  a  fine  of  Sixscore  thousand  Francks  : 
whereupon  it  presently  came  into  my  head 
that  the  Ten  thousand  Francs  of  which  la 
Brun  had  made  me  a  tender  was  certainly  to 
come  from  hence  ;  and  the  said  Archdeacon 
wept,  saying  that  the  City  of  Cahors  was 
ruin'd  for  ever,  and  that  though  all  the  goods 
of  the  City  moveable  and  immoveable  should 
be  sold,  they  could  not  make  up  that  sum. 
Whereupon  I  advised  him  not  to  afflict  him- 
self, but  leave  it  to  me,  for  that  out  of  the 
love  I  bore  to  Monsieur  de  Viole  and  the 
rest  I  would  keep  so  good  watch  that  I 
would  trap  them  before  they  could  do  their 
execution,  and  as  to  the  fines  you  speak  of, 
said  I,  it  is  not  the  Kings  intention  that  your 
City  should  be  destroy'd,  for  it  is  his,  and 
assure  yourself  he  will  remit  them.  *  Alas 
Sir,'  said  he,  'if  the  fines  went  into  the  Kings 
'  purse,  we   should  have  some  hope  that  his 

*  Majesty  would  not  see  us  destroy'd  ;  but 
'  he  is  not  to  have  one  peny  of  them.' 
'  Why  who  then,'  said  I  ?  '  'Tis  the  Count 
'  Rhinegrave,'    said  he,  *  who  lent  the  King 

*  fifty  thousand  Francs  upon  the  County,  and 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       421 

*  we  have  had  a  tryal  with   the  said  Count 

*  about  the  fines  of  Tholouze,  where  he  has 

*  cast  us,  it  being  proved  that  he  had  as  good 

*  title    to  the   fines  and  amerciaments  as  to 

*  any  other  part  of  the  Revenue,  and  that  is 

*  the  reason  why  we  have  no  other  remedy 

*  but  to  abandon  the  City,  to  go  Hve  in  some 

*  other  place,  and  leave  him  all  we  have.' 
Hearing  which  I  was  ready  to  run  mad  to 
think  that  these  two  Rogues  should  ruine 
one  of  the  Kings  Cities  for  one  particular 
man.  I  past  over  the  whole  night  in  great 
anger  and  impatience,  and  in  the  morning 
Monsieur  de  Burie  sent  for  me  to  hear  the 
Judgment  of  the  Process  ;  but  by  the  way,  I 
thought  to  prevent  them  from  pronouncing 
sentence,  which  being  once  pronounc'd,  there 
was  no  possible  way  to  save  the  City  but 
that  the  Count  Rhinegrave  would  have  had 
the  Fines,  who  though  he  was  a  stranger, 
yet  he  was  one  the  King  had  very  often 
occasion  to  use.  In  this  heat  I  came  to 
Monsieur  de  Burie's  chamber,  where  I  found 
them  all  already  set,  and  the  bags  upon  the 
Table.  They  perceiv'd  very  well  by  my 
countenance  what  I  had  in  my  stomach,  but 
I  said  nothing,  but  took  a  little  stool  and 
plac't  my  self  at  the  end  of  the  Table,  for 
they  had  taken  up  all  the  room  round  about 


42  2        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

it,  and  there  the  said  Campain  in  a  Learned 
Oration  began  to  lay  open  the  offence  that 
had  been  committed  in  the  City,  enlarging 
himself  upon  the  hainousness  of  the  Fact, 
and  remonstrating  to  us,  how  many  women 
and  children  had  lost  their  husbands  and 
their  fathers  in  this  bloody  Massacre,  and 
that  the  King  and  Queen  had  sent  us  thither 
to  do  this  Justice,  which  was  equitable  and 
right  (his  Harangue  lasted  for  half  an  hour 
at  least)  and  that  those  offenders  they  had 
already  put  to  death  would  signifie  nothing 
if  they  did  not  also  execute  the  principal 
Authors  of  this  Sedition,  which  would  serve 
for  an  exemple  to  the  whole  Kingdom  of 
France,  concluding  that  therefore  they  would 
read  the  sentence  before  us,  to  have  it  after- 
wards executed  in  prison,  entreating  us  to 
lend  our  assistance  in  the  seeing  it  accordingly 
perform'd,  and  thereupon  began  to  draw  the 
Sentence  out  of  the  Bag.  I  look'd  upon 
Monsieur  de  Burie,  to  see  if  he  would  speak, 
for  it  was  for  him  to  speak  before  me,  but 
seeing  he  suffered  him  to  proceed  without 
interruption,  and  the  other  beginning  to  open 
the  Sentence  to  read  it,  I  said  to  him,  *  Hold 
'  Monsieur  de  Campain,  proceed  no  further, 
'  till  you  have  first  answer'd  what  I  have  to 
*  demand    of  you.'        To    which    he    made 


THE    COMMISSIONERS       423 

answer  that  after  he  had  read  the  Sentence, 
he  would  answer  my  questions,  but  that  he 
would  first  read  that,  before  he  did  any  thing 
else.  Whereupon  I  said  to  Monsieur  de 
Burie  (rapping  out  a  great  Oath)  'Sir,  at  the 

*  first  word  that  comes   out  of  his  mouth,  I 

*  will  kill  him  if  he  do  not  first  satisfie  me 

*  in  such  things  as  I  shall  in  your  presence 

*  demand  of  him.'  At  which  Monsieur  de 
Burie  said  to  him,  '  Monsieur  de  Campain, 
'you  must  hear  what  he  has  to  say  to  you, 
'  for  perhaps   he  may  have  heard  something, 

*  that  I  know  not  of,'  and  then  I  perceiv'd 
my  Gentleman  to  turn  pale,  and  upon  my 
word;he  had  good  reason.     I  then  ask'd  him, 

*  Whose  is  the  City  of  Cahors  ?  '  To  which 
he  answered,  '  It  is  the  Kings.'     '  And  whose 

*  is  the  Judicature  .'' '  said  I.  '  The  Kings,' 
said  he.  '  And  whose  is  the  Church  .? '  said 
I.  To  which  he  made  answer  that  he  could 
not  tell.  Whereupon  I  said  to  him,  'Do 
you  deny  that  the  Church  is  not  the  Kings 
as  well  as  the  rest  ?  '  To  which  he  made 
answer  that  he  did  not  concern  himself 
about  it.  I  then  said  to  him,  '  Have  you 
'  divided  the  City  into  three  Corporations, 
'  that  is  to  say,  the  Church,  the  Judicature, 

*  and  the  City  separate  by  it  self,  and  impos'd 
'  fines  severally  upon  them  all  ?  '     To  which 


424        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

he  made  answer  that  I  should  give 
ear  to  the  sentence,  and  that  would  inform 
me,  whether  he  had  or  no.  Whereupon  I 
began  to  thou  him,  saying,  '  Thou  shalt  here 

*  declare  before  Monsieur  de  Bury  and  me 
'  what  I  demand  of  thee,  or  I  will  hang  thee 
'  with    my   own    hands,  for    I   have   hang'd 

*  twenty  honester  men  than  thy  self  or  those 

*  who  have  assisted  at  thy  Sentence '  ;  and 
thereupon  start  up  from  my  stool,  at  which 
Monsieur   de  Burie  said,  '  Speak  Monsieur 

*  Cam  pain,  and  say  if  you  have  done  it  or  no.' 

*  Yes  sir,'  answered  he,  *  I  have  '  :  Where- 
upon  I   said,  *  O  thou  damned   confounded 

*  Villain,  Traytonto  thy  King,  thou  wilt  ruine 

*  a  City  belonging  to  the  King,  for  the  profit 

*  of  one  particular  man  ;  were  it  not  for  the 
'  respect  1  bear  to  Monsieur  de  Burie,  who  is 

*  here  the  Kings  Lieutenant,  I  would  hang 

*  both  thee  and  thy  companions  at  the  windows 

*  of  this  chamber  ; '  saying  to  Monsieur  de 
Burie,    *  for    Gods    sake    let    me    kill   these 

*  accursed  Rogues,  that  are  Traytors  to  their 

*  King  for  anothers  profit  and  their  own  ; ' 
and  thereupon  drew  my  sword  half  way,  and 
had  they  let  me  alone  I  had  order'd  them 
for  ever  making  more  Sentences  or  Arrests  ; 
but  Monsieur  de  Bury  leap'd  to  me  and 
caught  hold  of  my  arm,  entreating  me  not  to 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       425 

do  It,  whilst  in  the  meantime  they  recovered 
the  door,  and  fled  away  in  so  great  a  fright 
that  they  leap'd  the  stairs  without  staying  to 
count  the  steps.  I  would  fain  have  follow'd 
after  to  have  kill'd  them,  but  Monsieur  de 
Burie  and  Monsieur  de  Courre,  his  Nephew, 
held  me  so  fast  that  I  could  not  break  from 
them,  the  rage  wherein  I  was  not  permitting 
me  to  be  master  of  my  self;  It  ought  not 
then  to  appear  strange,  if  I  call  them  so  often 
Rogues  in  my  Relation.  This  being  done. 
Monsieur  de  Burie,  Monsieur  de  Courre,  and 
I  went  into  a  Garden,  where  the  said  Sieur 
de  Bury  told  me  that  besides  that  I  had 
preserv'd  this  City  from  total  ruine,  I  had 
saved  his  honour  also,  for  the  King  and  the 
Queen  and  all  the  world  would  infallibly 
have  concluded  that  he  had  taken  money, 
whereas  he  protested  that  he  knew  not  one 
syllable  of  all  this,  and  then  it  was  that  I  told 
him  which  way  I  came  to  discover  it,  and  do 
really  believe  there  was  no  intelligence  on 
Monsieur  de  Burie's  side.  I  din'd  with  him 
and  do  think  he  did  not  eat  four  bits,  and 
all  that  day  observ'd  him  to  be  melancholy 
and  displeas'd,  sending  word  to  all  the 
Commissioners  not  to  proceed  any  further  in 
any  thing  whatsoever  till  the  King  should 
first  be  enform'd  of  all  that  had  past.     I  also 


426        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

sent  to  Judge  Mage  and  the  rest  to  forbid 
them  that  they  should  not  be  assistnig  in  any- 
thing should  be  done  by  Campain  and 
Gerard  upon  forfeiture  of  their  lives.  They 
came  in  the  evening  one  after  another,  I 
mean  the  Judges  Assistants,  to  excuse  them- 
selves to  Monsieur  de  Burie,  confessing  to 
him  that  they  had  not  foreseen  the  ruine  this 
Sentence  would  have  inevitably  have  brought 
upon  the  City,  which  would  also  have  been 
the  undoing  both  of  them  and  their  posterity  ; 
but  they  durst  never  speak  a  word  to  me, 
nor  so  much  as  come  where  I  v/as.  Monsieur 
de  Burie  told  me  all,  but  whatsoever  the 
matter  was,  not  one  of  them  durst  come  in 
my  sight  ;  which  if  they  had,  upon  my 
conscience  I  think  I  should  have  strangled 
one  or  another  of  them.  About  five  or  six 
days  after  came  the  Courrier  that  the  Relations 
and  Friends  of  Monsieur  de  Viole  had  sent 
to  the  King,  who  brought  an  injunction  to 
the  Commissioners  not  to  proceed  any 
further  in  any  manner  whatsoever  against  the 
said  Sieur  de  Viole,  nor  concerning  this 
Sedition,  commanding  them  to  set  the  said 
Sieur  de  Viole  and  the  other  Prisoners  at 
liberty,  upon  Bail  to  appear  when  and  so 
often  as  they  should  be  summoned  so  to  do. 
It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  if  the  City  of 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       427 

Cahors  have  a  kindness  for  me,  as  indeed  they 
have  to  such  a  degree  that  by  the  respect 
they  pay  me,  and  the  entertainments  they 
caress  me  withal,  it  seems  as  if  the  King 
himself  or  some  of  his  Brothers  were  come 
into  their  City. 


*  « 


Now  Monsieur  de  Burie  having:  himself 
seen  that  these  two  brave  Commissioners 
did  not  go  franckly  to  work,  and  that  their 
only  drift  was  to  execute  Justice  upon  the 
Catholicks  only,  and  not  upon  the  Hugonots 
also,  he  sent  in  all  haste  to  Bourdeaux,  for 
Messieur  d'Aleson  the  elder,  and  Ferron, 
Counsellors  in  the  Court  of  Parliament,  and 
men  that  very  well  understood  their  business, 
that  he  might  joyn  with  them  to  these  Com- 
missioners of  ours  for  a  Counter-poise  to 
balance  their  wicked  inclinations,  and  so  we 
went  straight  to  Ville-Franche  de  Rovergue, 
when  hearing  by  the  way  that  the  Hugonots 
from  all  parts  drew  together  in  great  numbers. 
Monsieur  de  Burie  sent  for  the  Companies 
of  the  Mareschal  de  Termes,  of  Messieurs 
de  Randan,  de  la  Vauguyon,  and  de  Jarnac, 
for  before  we  had  no  more  than  our  own 
two  Companies  ;  and  found  at  Ville-Franche 
Monsieur  the  Cardinal  of  Armagnac,  who 
staid  there  expecting  our  coming,  to  complain 


428        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

of  the  churches  had  been  violated  and  defac'd 
in  his  Jurisdiction,  and  particularly  at  Ville- 
Franche,  a  member  of  his  Bishoprick  of 
Rhodes  ;  when  so  soon  as  he  saw  us  draw 
near,  the  Consuls  seiz'd  of  four  or  five  of 
the  principal  of  the  Seditious,  whom  we  found 
Prisoners.  The  next  day  after  our  arrival 
came  the  above  named  Sieurs  d'Alesme  and 
de  Ferron,  of  whom  our  Commissioners 
would  by  no  means  allow,  saying  they  had 
not  the  Kings  Patents,  though  in  the  end 
we  over-rul'd  them  whether  they  would 
or  no.  Monsieur  de  Burie  had  intreated 
me  to  do  them  no  harm  at  our  departure 
from  Cahors,  for  they  desir'd  nothing 
more  than  to  be  gone  ;  and  at  last  they 
began  to  try  these  four  or  five  that  the 
Cardinal  of  Armagnac  had  caused  to  be 
taken  :  but  it  was  impossible  to  persuade 
Campain  and  Gerard  to  consent  to  their 
execution,  notwithstanding  that  an  infinite 
number  of  Rapines  and  Violations,  besides 
those  of  Churches,  was  by  the  testimony  of 
the  most  eminent  persons  of  the  City 
evidently  prov'd  against  them.  They  con- 
tinued eight  or  ten  days  in  this  dispute,  ever- 
more concluding  that  they  ought  to  be  re- 
least,  and  although  Monsieur  de  Ferron's 
Wife    and   Family  were    of  that    Religion, 


THE   COMMISSIONERS       429 

he     nevertheless    affirm'd    with     Monsieur 

d'Alesme,  that   they  ought    to   dye.      The 

Cardinal  of  Armagnac  and   all  the  Officers 

were  in   despair  to  see  that  Justice  was  not 

executed,  expecting  nothing  but  all  sorts  of 

violence    so    soon    as    our  backs  should   be 

turn'd,  if  some  example  were  not  made.     In 

the  end  Messieurs  d'Alesme  and  de  Ferron 

came  to  my  Lodging  to  tell  me  that  it  was 

not  to  be  hop'd  that  these  people  would 

ever  execute  Justice  upon  those  of  their  own 

Religion,  and  that  therefore  seeing  no  good 

was   to  be  done  with   such  men,  they  were 

resolv'd  to  return  home.     I   then  entreated 

them   not  to  leave  us  ;  to  which  Monsieur 

d'Alesme  made  answer,  *Will  you  then  do 

an  act  worthy  your  integrity  and  courage, 

and  cause  them  to  be  hang'd  at  the  windows 

of    the     Town     house    where    they     are 

Prisoners,  by  which  means  you  will  put  the 

business  out   of  dispute,  and  without  that 

there  is  no  hope  that  Justice  shall  be  done.' 

Are    you    both    of   this    opinion,'    said   I. 

They  answered  me  they  were.     Enough  was 

said,     I      call'd      to      me      Monsieur      de 

Sainctorens's    Sergeant,    saying    to    him    in 

their    presence,    *  Go   fetch   me    the    Goaler 

*  hither '  ;  which  he   did,  to    whom    1   said, 

*  Deliver  thy   Prisoners   to   this   man  ;    and 


430        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

*  you  Serjeant,  take  my  two  Hangmen,  and 

*  go  hang  them  presently  at  the  windows  of 

*  the  Town  hall.'  Whereupon  he  immedi- 
ately departed,  and  in  less  than  a  quarter  of 
an  hour,  we  saw  them  hang'd  at  the  windows. 
The  Commissioners  were  furiously  enrag'd 
at  this  action,  and  endeavour'd  to  make 
Monsieur  de  Burie  disapprove  of  it,  which 
the  next  day  1  reproach'd  them  with,  telling 
them  in  the  presence  of  the  said  Sieur  de 
Burie  that  Monsieur  de  Burie  and  I  should 
agree  well  enough  in  despite  of  all  their 
endeavours   to   divide   us ;    '  And    I    doubt 

*  not,'  said  I,  '  but  to  make  you  hang  your- 

*  selves   before  the  game  be  done  and  that 

*  we  go  out  of  this  Commission.     There  is  a 

*  rumour  that  the  Prince  of  Conde  has  taken 

*  arms   and   possest  himself  of  the  City   of 

*  Orleans,  which  if  it  prove  true,  hope  for  no 

*  other  but   that  1  will    be   as  good  as   my 

*  word.'  It  was  not  two  hours  before  Ranee, 
the  King  of  Navarres  Secretary,  arriv'd,  and 
brought  news  to  Monsieur  de  Burie  that 
the  Prince  of  Conde  was  in  arms  and  had 
seiz'd  of  Orleans,  telling  wonders  of  the 
prodigious  Forces  the  said  Prince  had 
with  him,  in  comparison  of  those  of  the 
King,  and  that  the  King  of  Navarre,  the 
Constable,    Monsieur    de    Guise,     and    the 


A   STRANGE   DREAM        431 

Mareschal  de  S.  Andre  were  together, 
who  could  not  all  raise  so  much  as  one  man, 
with  a  thousand  other  Aim  flam  stories. 
Whereupon  the  said  Sieur  de  Burie  expressly 
forbad  him  to  speak  a  word  to  any  one  else, 
telling  him  it  would  be  as  much  as  his  life 
was  worth  should  I  come  to  hear  the  least 
whisper  of  it  :  He  sent  also  privately  to  the 
Commissioners  to  get  away  before  the  news 
should  be  publish'd,  for  otherwise  it  would 
not  be  in  his  power  to  save  them  from  being 
put  to  death  ;  and  he  was  in  the  right,  for  I 
would  infallibly  have  done  their  business. 
They  needed  not  to  be  bid  twice,  but  im- 
mediately sneak'd  away  in  great  secrecy,  so  that 
I  knew  nothing  of  their  departure  till  the  next 
day,  and  search'd  very  diligently  for  Monsieur 
Ranee,  who  had  he  fallen  into  my  hands,  I 
think  I  should  have  taught  him  to  carry  news. 

A  Strange  Dream 

We  went  upon  the  Saturday  from  Cassaigne 
to  go  lie  at  Monsieur  de  Panias  his  house, 
taking  two  Tassels  of  Goshawks  along  with 
us,  wherewith  to  pass  away  the  time  at  the 
Baths  :  and  the  very  night  that  we  came 
thither  in  my  first  sleep  I  dreamt  a  dream 
that  did  more  discompose  and  weaken  me 


432        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

than  if  I  had  four  dayes  had  a  contniual  Fevor, 
which  I  will  here  set  down,  because  there  are 
many  living  to  whom  I  told  it,  for  these  are 
no  tales  made  for  pleasure.  I  dreamt  that 
all  the  Kingdom  of  France  was  in  Rebellion, 
and  that  a  stranger  Prince  had  seiz'd  upon  it, 
and  had  kill'd  the  King,  my  Lords  his 
Brothers,  and  the  Queen,  and  that  I  was  fly- 
ing night  and  day  on  every  side  to  escape  ; 
for  me  thought  I  had  all  the  world  in  search 
of  me  to  take  me  :  Sometimes  I  fled  to  one 
place,  and  sometimes  to  another,  till  at  length 
I  was  surpriz'd  in  a  house,  and  carried 
before  the  new  King,  who  was  walking  be- 
twixt two  great  men  in  a  Church.  He  was 
low  of  stature,  but  gross  and  well  knit,  and 
had  on  his  head  a  square  velvet  Cap,  such  a 
one  as  they  wore  in  former  days.  The 
Archers  of  his  Guard  were  clad  in  yellow, 
red,  and  black,  and  me-thought  as  they  led 
me  prisoner  thorough  the  Streets,  all  the 
people  ran  after  me  crying, '  Kill  the  villain '  ; 
one  presented  a  naked  Sword  to  my  throat, 
and  another  a  Pistol  to  my  breast  :  those 
that  led  me,  crying  out,  ^  do  not  kill  him  for 
'  the  King  will  have  him  hang'd  in  his  own 
'  presence.'  Andithus  they  carried  me  before 
the  new  King,  who  was  walking,  as  I  said 
before.     There  was  in  the  Church    neither 


A   STRANGE   DREAM         433 

Image  nor  Altar  ;  and  so  soon  as  I  came 
before  him,  he  said  to  me  in  Italian  ;  *  Veni 

*  que  forfante,  tu  m'ai  fatto  la    guerra,   Er 

*  a  quelli  i  quali  Suomo  mai  servitori,  is  ti 

*  faro  apicquar  adesso,  adesso.'  To  which 
I  made  answer  in  the  same  language 
(for  me-thought  I  spoke  Tuscan  as 
well  as  when  I  was  in  Sienna),  *  Sacra 
'  Maesta,  is  servito  al  mio  Re,  si  come  Suono 

*  obligati  fari  tutti  gli  huomini  de  bene,  su 

*  Maesta  ne  deve  pigliar  ques  to  a  male.' 
At  which,  enflamed  with  fury,  he  said  to  the 
Archers  of  his  Guard,  '  Andate  andate, 
'  menate  lo  adpicar  quel  forfante,  que  mi 
'  farebbe  ancor  a  la  guerra.'  Whereupon 
they  would  have  led  me  away  ;  but  I  stood 
firm,  and  said  to  him,  *  lo  supplico  su  Maesta 

*  voler  mi  salvar  la  vita,  poi  che  il  Re  mio 

*  signire    e    morto    ensiemigli    Signiori    Susi 

*  fratelli  :  lo  vi  prometto  che  vi  serviro  con 
'  medesima  fidelta  con  la  qu'ale  io  servito  il 
'  re  mentre  viveva.'  Upon  this  the  Lords 
v/ho  v/ere  walking  with  him  begg'd  of  him 
to  save  my  life  :  upon  whose  intercession, 
looking  steadfastly  upon  me,  he  said  to  me, 
'  Porometti  tu  ques  to  del  cuore  ^  or  Su  io 
'ti  de  la  vita  per  le  pregiere  di  quelli  che  mi 
'  pregaro,  fie  mi  fidele.'  These  Lords  me 
thought  spoke  French,   but   we   two   spoke 

2    E 


434         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

Italian  ;  whereupon  he  commanded  them  to 
take  me  a  little  aside,  and  that  he  would  by 
and  by  talk  to  me  again.  They  then  sent  me 
by  a  Chest  that  stood  hard  by  the  Church 
door,  and  those  who  were  to  look  to  me  fell 
to  talking  with  the  Archers  of  the  Guard. 
As  I  was  there  standing  by  this  Chest,  I 
began  to  think  of  the  King,  and  repented  me 
of  the  oath  of  Fidelity  I  had  taken  ;  for  that 
peradventure  the  King  might  not  be  yet 
dead,  and  that  if  I  could  escape  away  I  would 
rather  wander  alone  and  on  foot  throughout 
the  world  to  seek  the  King  if  he  were  yet 
alive  ;  and  thereupon  took  a  resolution  to 
run  away.  Thus  resolv'd  I  went  out  of  the 
Church,  and  being  got  into  the  Street  began 
to  run,  and  never  thought  of  my  hip,  for 
methought  I  ran  faster  than  I  would,  when 
on  a  sudden  I  heard  a  cry  behind  me,  '  Stop 
'  the  villain  ; '  whereupon  some  came 
out  of  their  houses  to  take  me,  and 
others  stood  in  my  way  ;  but  still  I  escap'd 
both  from  the  one  and  the  other,  and 
recover'd  a  pair  of  stone  stairs  that  went  up 
to  the  Wall  of  the  Town,  where  coming  to 
the  top,  I  lookt  down,  and  methought  the 
Precipice  was  so  great  that  I  could  hardly 
see  to  the  bottom.  They  mounted  the  stairs 
after   me,  and  I  had  nothing  wherewith  to 


A    STRANGE   DREAM         435 

defend  myself  but  three  or  four  stones  that 
I  threw  at  them,  and  had  a  great  mind  to 
make  them  kill  me  ;  for  me-thought  they 
would  put  me  to  a  cruel  death  ;  when  having 
nothing  left  to  defend  my  self  withall,  I 
threw  my  self  headlong  from  the  Battlements, 
and  in  falling  awaked  and  found  my  self  all 
on  a  water,  as  if  I  had  come  out  of  a  River, 
my  Shirt,  the  Sheets,  the  Counterpain  all 
wringing  wet,  and  I  fancied  that  my  head 
was  bigger  than  a  Drum.  I  call'd  my  Valet 
de  Chambre,  who  presently  made  a  fire,  took 
off  my  wet  shirt,  and  gave  me  another. 
They  went  also  to  Madam  de  Panias,  who 
commanded  another  pair  of  sheets  to  be 
given  them,  and  herself  rose  and  came  into 
my  Chamber,  and  saw  the  Sheets,  Blankets, 
and  Counterpain  all  wet,  and  never  departed 
the  room  till  all  was  dried  ;  which  whilst  they 
were  in  doing,  I  told  her  my  dream, 
and  the  fright  I  had  been  in,  which  had  put 
me  into  this  sweat  ;  She  remembers  it  as 
well  as  I.  The  Dream  I  dreamt  of  the  death 
of  King  Henry  my  good  Master  and  this 
put  me  into  a  greater  weakness  than  if  I  had 
had  a  continued  Fever  for  a  whole  week 
together.  The  Physitians  told  me  that  it 
was  nothing  but  force  of  imagination,  my 
mind     being    wholly    taken    up    with    these 


436         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

thoughts  :  And  I  do  believe  it  was  so  ;  for 
I  have  fancied  my  self  in  the  night  fighting 
with  the  Enemy,  dreaming  of  the  mishaps 
and  the  successes  also  I  afterwards  saw  come 
to  pass.  I  have  had  that  misfortune  all  my 
life,  that  sleeping  or  waking  I  have  never 
been  at  rest,  and  was  alwayes  sure  when  I 
had  anything  working  in  my  head  that  I  was 
to  do,  not  to  fail  to  dream  all  that  night  : 
which  is  very  troublesome. 

RaBASTENS    and    *  THAT    GREAT    HaRQUEBUZ- 

Shot* 

But  as  men  design,  and  God  disposeth  as 
seemeth  best  to  him  the  Events  of  things,  he 
was  pleased  to  order  it  very  much  contrary 
to  what  we  proposed  to  our  selves  :  for  the 
fifth  day  of  the  Siege,  the  23,  of  July,  in  the 
year  1562,  upon  a  Sunday  about  two  of  the 
clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  resolved  to  give  an 
assault,  the  Order  whereof  was  after  the 
manner  following.  That  Monsieur  de 
Sanctorens,  Mareschal  de  Camp,  should  lead 
the  Companies  one  after  the  other  up  to  the 
Breach,  which  that  he  might  the  better  do 
without  confusion,  1  order'd  all  the  Companies 
to  be  drawn  by  four  and  four  together  out  of 
the  Town,  which  upon  pain  of  death  were 


RABASTENS  437 

not  to  stir  from  their  places  till  Monsieur  de 
Sanctorens  should  come  to  fetch  them,  who 
was  to  stay  three  quarters  of  an  hour  betwixt 
every  leading  up,  and  in  that  manner  to  con- 
duct all  the  Companies  one  after  another  ; 
and  it  was  also  order'd  that  the  two  Captains 
who  were  upon  the  Guard  by  the  Breach, 
which  were  I'Artigues  and  Salles  of  Beam, 
should  go  on  first  to  the  Assault.  As  I 
was  setting  down  this  Order  one  came  in 
haste  to  tell  me  that  the  two  Canons  that 
batter'd  the  Flanck  and  that  had  been 
remov'd  in  the  night  were  forsaken,  and  not 
a  man  durst  shew  himself  upon  the  Battery, 
by  reason  the  Artillery  it  self  had  ruin'd  all 
the  Gabions.  I  therefore  left  it  to  iMessieurs 
de  Gondrin  and  de  Sainctorens  to  conclude 
the  Order  of  the  Fight,  that  is  to  say  that  the 
Companies  should  go  on  successively  one 
after  another,  which  was  to  be  set  down  in 
writing,  and  my  self  ran  on  the  outside 
to  the  Hole  of  the  Wall,  when  I  found 
only  ten  or  twelve  Pioneers  squat  with 
their  bellies  close  to  the  ground ;  for 
Tibanville,  the  Commissary  of  the  Artillery, 
who  had  the  charge  of  those  two  pieces 
of  Canon,  had  been  constrain'd  to  quit 
them,  and  even  Monsieur  de  Basillac 
himself. 


438  BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

Seeing  then  this  disaster,  I  unbethought 
my  self  of  a  great  number  of  Bavins  1  had 
the  day  before  caused  to  be  brought  into  the 
Town,  and  said  to  the  Gentlemen  who  were 
with  me  these  words  :  *  I  have  heard,  and 

*  alwayes    observ'd,  that   there  is  no  labour 

*  nor  danger  that  Gentlemen  will  ever  refuse  ; 

*  follow  me  therefore  I  beseech  you,  and  do 
'  as  you  shall  see  me  do  ? '  They  did  not 
stay  to  be  entreated,  and  so  we  went  in  great 
haste  directly  to  the  Bavins  that  were  within 
the  Town  and  lay  in  the  middle  of  a  Street 
there  where  not  a  man  durst  abide,  and  there 
I  took  a  Bavin  and  laid  it  upon  my  shoulder, 
as  also  every  Gentleman  took  one,  and  there 
were  a  great  many  who  carried  two  a  piece  ; 
after  which  manner  we  return'd  out  of  the 
Town  by  the  same  way  we  entred  in,  and 
thus  1  marcht  before  them  till  we  came  to 
the  hole.  By  the  way  as  we  were  going  I 
had  given  order  that  they  should  bring  me 
four  or  five  Halbardeers,  which  at  my  return 
I  found  already  arriv'd  at  the  hole,  and 
made  them  enter  into  it.  We  threw  them 
the  Bavins  into  the  hole,  which  they  took 
with  the  points  of  their  Halberts,  and  ran  to 
throw  them  upon  the  Gabions  to  raise  them. 
I  dare  be  bold  to  affirm  with  truth  that  we 
were  not  above  a  quarter  of  an  hour  about 


RABASTENS  439 

this  work,  and  so  soon  as  ever  the  Canon  was 
cover'd,  Tibauville  and  the  other  Canoneers 
return'd  into  the  Battery,  where  they  began 
to  shoot  with  greater  fury  than  of  all  the 
dayes  before,  every  clap  almost  overtaking 
another,  every  one  assisting  them  with  great 
cheerfulness.  If,  Captains,  you  shall  do  the 
same,  and  yourselves  first  put  your  hands  to 
the  work,  you  will  make  every  one  follow 
your  example,  very  shame  will  push  and 
force  them  out,  and  when  the  service  is  hot 
in  any  place,  if  the  Chief  do  not  go  in  person, 
or  at  least  some  eminent  man,  the  rest  will 
go  very  lamely  on,  and  murmur  when  a  man 
sends  them  to  slaughter.  And  if  you  covet 
honor,  you  must  sometimes  tempt  danger  as 
much  as  the  meanest  Soldier  under  your 
Command. 

I  will  deprive  no  man  of  his  due  honor  ; 
for  I  think  I  have  assisted  at  as  many  Batteries 
as  any  man  this  day  alive,  and  must  needs 
say  this,  that  I  never  saw  Commissaries  of 
the  Artillery  more  diligent  and  adventurous 
than  both  Fredeville  and  Tibauville  shew'd 
themselves  during  the  whole  five  dayes  that 
the  Battery  continued,  in  my  whole  life  ;  for 
they  themselves  both  levell'd  and  fir'd, 
though  they  had  as  good  Canoneers  as  ever 
I  saw  handle  Linstock  in  my  dayes  ;  and  I 


440         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

dare  be  bold  to  say  that  of  a  thousand 
Canon  shot  we  made  against  this  place  not  ten 
fail'd  of  their  effect,  or  were  spent  in  vain. 

In  the  morning  I  sent  for  Monsieur  de 
Gohas,  who  was  at  Vic-Bigorre,  and  the 
Captains  who  were  set  to  have  an  eye  on 
Montamat,  and  the  Succour  expected  by  him, 
writing  to  him  to  come  away  that  he  might 
be  with  me  at  the  Assault,  by  reason  that 
Captain  Paulliac,  Colonel  of  the  Infantry,  was 
so  dangerously  wounded,  and  we  had  no 
hopes  of  his  life.  He  receiv'd  his  shot  at 
the  time  when  I  went  over-night  to  carry 
Messieurs  de  Leberon  and  de  Montant  to 
cut  off  the  great  Counterscarp,  which  shot 
went  quite  through  his  Body.  My  Son 
Fabian  was  also  shot  in  the  chin,  and  two 
Soldiers  close  by  my  side.  I  there  com- 
mitted a  very  great  error,  for  I  went  in  the 
evening  before  it  was  dark,  and  I  believe 
they  were  aware  that  we  intended  to  cut  the 
Counterscarp,  for  all  their  Harquebuzeers 
were  run  together  to  that  place  ;  and  the 
reason  why  I  committed  this  error  was  that 
having  computed  with  my  self  how  many 
hours  the  night  was  long,  I  found  that  it  was 
not  above  seven  hours  or  thereabouts  ;  and 
on  the  other  side  I  saw  that  in  half  an  hour 
I    should  lose   all   that   I   had  done,  if  the 


RABASTENS  441 

Counterscarp  was  not  pulled  down  by  break 
of  day,  and  that  in  case  I  should  think  fit  to 
give  an  assault  that  day,  they  would  be  so 
strongly  rampir'd  and  fortified,  that  with  as 
many  more  Canon  shot  as  I  had  made 
against  the  place,  it  would  be  a  matter  of 
very  great  difficulty  to  enter.  This  was  the 
reason  why  I  made  so  much  haste  to  go  and 
begin  the  work,  that  1  might  have  it  perfected 
by  break  of  day  ;  where  I  recommended  the 
care  of  it  to  Messieurs  de  Leberon  and  de 
Montant,  and  the  two  Captains  upon  the 
Guard,  by  telling  them  that  in  their  diligence 
our  victory  wholly  consisted.  And  in  truth 
they  slept  not,  as  I  have  already  said,  for  by 
break  of  day  the  Artillery  began  to  play, 
and  the  Counterscarp  was  wholly  pulled 
down. 

O  Comrades,  you  who  shall  go  to  besiege 
places,  you  cannot  but  confess  that  both 
here  and  in  several  places  my  Enterprizes 
and  Victories  have  succeeded  more  from  my 
vigilancy  and  prompt  execution  than  any 
valour,  and  I  on  my  part  am  willing  to 
confess  that  there  was  in  the  Camp  braver 
men  than  I.  But  no  one  can  be  a  Coward 
that  has  these  three  things  ;  for  from  these 
three  all  the  Combats  and  Victories  proceed, 
and  all  valiant  men  choose  to  follow  Captains 


442         BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

that  are  provided  with  these  three  qualities. 
And  on  the  other  side  he  cannot  be  call'd 
hardy,  let  his  heart  be  never  so  good,  if  he 
be  tardy,  backward,  and  slow  in  execution  : 
for  before  he  has  fixt  his  resolution,  he  has 
been  so  long  deliberating  about  it  that  the 
Enemy  is  advertiz'd  of  what  he  intends  to 
do,  and  consequently  is  provided  to  prevent 
his  design  :  but  if  he  be  quick  he  shall  even 
surprize  himself.  So  that  there  is  no  great 
confidence  to  be  repos'd  in  a  Chief  that  is 
not  endu'd  with  these  three  qualities, 
vigilancy,  promptitude,  and  valour.  If  a 
man  examine  all  the  Great  Warriors  that 
have  ever  been,  he  will  find  that  they  had 
all  those  qualities.  Alexander  did  not  in 
vain  bear  the  Device  I  have  mentioned 
before.  Examine  Caesar's  Commentaries, 
and  all  the  Authors  that  have  writ  of  him, 
you  will  find  that  in  his  life  he  fought  two 
and  fifty  Battels  without  ever  losing  any, 
saving  that  of  Dirachium  ;  but  within  thirty 
dayes  he  had  a  sufficient  revenge  against 
Pompey,  for  he  won  a  great  Battel  and  de- 
feated him.  You  will  not  find  that  in  these 
two  and  fifty  Battels  he  ever  fought  three 
times  in  his  own  person,  that  is,  with  his  own 
hand,  though  he  was  alwayes  present  there  ; 
by  which   you  will   understand  that  all  his 


RABASTENS  443 

Victories  were  the  effects  of  his  conduct,  by- 
being  diligent,  vigilant,  and  a  prompt 
executer  of  his  designs.  But  for  all  this, 
these  qualities  are  rarely  found,  and  I  believe 
we  Gascons  are  better  provided  of  them  then 
any  other  people  of  France,  or  perhaps  of 
Europe,  and  many  good  and  great  Captains 
have  gone  out  of  it  within  these  fifty  years. 
I  shall  not  compare  my  self  to  them,  but  this 
I  will  say  of  my  self,  because  it  is  true,  that 
my  Master  never  lost  any  thing  by  my  sloth 
or  remissness.  The  Enemy  thought  me  a 
league  off  when  I  came  to  beat  up  his 
Quarters.  And  if  diligence  be  requir'd  in 
all  exploits  of  war,  it  is  much  more  in  a 
Siege,  for  a  very  little  thing  will  serve  to 
overthrow  a  great  design.  If  you  press  your 
Enemy  you  redouble  his  fear,  he  will  not 
know  where  he  lis,  nor  have  leisure  to  recol- 
lect himself.  Be  sure  to  wake  whilst  others 
sleep,  and  never  leave  your  Enemy  without 
something  to  do. 

I  shall  now  return  to  the  Assault  ;  our 
Order  being  set  down,  I  went  and  placed 
my  self  at  the  Gate  of  the  Town  near  unto 
the  Breach,  where  I  had  all  the  Gentlemen 
with  me,  of  which  there  might  be  six  or 
seven  score,  and  still  more  came  up  to  us, 
for    Monsieur   de    la    Chappelle   Lawzieres, 


444         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

who  came  from  Quercy,  brought  a  great 
Troop  of  Gentlemen  along  with  him.  I 
shall  here  relate  one  thing  of  my  own 
presage,  which  is  perfectly  true,  That  it  was 
impossible  for  all  the  friends  I  had  to  dis- 
possess me  of  an  opinion  I  had  that  I  should 
in  this  Assault  be  kill'd  or  wounded  by  a 
shot  in  some  part  of  my  head  ;  and  out  of 
that  conceipt  was  once  half  in  a  mind  not  to 
go  to  the  Assault,  knowing  very  well  that 
my  death  would  at  this  time  be  of  ill  conse- 
quence, if  not  to  the  Enterprize  in  hand,  yet 
to  the  general  design  upon  that  Country  ; 
this  fancy  therefore  still  running  in  my  head 
the  morning  before  the  Assault  was  to  be 
given,  I  said  to  Monsieur  de  Las  the  King's 
Advocate  at  Agen,  who  was  of  our  Council, 
these    words,   *  Monsieur  de  Las,  there  are 

*  some  who  have  exclaim'd  and  do  yet  cry 

*  out  that  I   am  very  rich  ;  you  know  of  all 

*  the  money  I   have  to  a  Denier,  for  by  my 

*  Will,  to  which  you  are  a  Witness,  you  are 
'  sufficiently  enform'd  of  my  Estate.  But 
'  seeing  the  world  are  not  otherwise  to  be 
'  perswaded  but  I  have  a  great  deal  of  money, 
*and  that  consequently,  if  by  accident  1 
'  should  die  in  this  Assault,  they  would  de- 
'  mand  of  my  Wife  four  times  as  much  as  I 

*  am  worth,  I  have  here  brought  a  particular 


RABASTENS  445 

'of  all  the  money  I  have  at  this  day  in  the 

*  whole  world,  as  well  abroad  at  interest,  as 

*  at  home  in  the  custody  of  my  wife.     The 

*  account  of  of  my  Steward  Barat's  drawing, 

*  and  sign'd  by  my  own  hand.     You  are  my 

*  friend,    I    beseech   you  therefore    if  I    dye 

*  that  you  and  the  Councillor  Monsieur  de 

*  Nort  will  transfer  your  love  and  friendship 

*  to    my    Wife    and    my    two    Daughters, 

*  and  that   you  v/ill  have    a    care  of  them, 

*  especially    Charlotte    Catherine,    who    had 

*  the     honor     to     be      christened    by     the 

*  King  and  the  Queen  his  Mother.'  Which 
having  said,  I  deliver'd  the  Scrowl  into  his 
hands,  and  very  well  perceiv'd  that  he  had 
much  ado  to  refrain  weeping.  By  this  you 
may  judge  if  I  had  not  the  misfortune  that 
befel  me  before  my  eyes.  I  have  no 
familiar  spirit,  but  few  misfortunes  have 
befall'n  me  in  the  whole  course  of  my  life 
that  my  mind  has  not  first  presag'd.  I  still 
endeavour'd  to  put  it  out  of  my  fancy,  re- 
signing all  things  to  the  good  will  of  God, 
who  disposes  of  us  as  seems  best  to  his  own 
wisdom,  neither  did  I  ever  do  otherwise, 
what  ever  the  Hugonots  my  Enemies  have 
said  or  written  to  the  contrary  against  me. 

So  soon  as  two  of  the  clock,  the  hour  pre- 
fixt  for  the  assault,  was  come,  I  caused  eight 


446         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

or  ten  Bottles  of  wine,  that  Madam  de  Panjas 
had  sent  me,  to  be  brought  out,  which  I  gave 
the     Gentlemen,    saying,     '  Let     us     drink 

*  Comrades  ;  for  it  must  now  soon  be  seen 

*  which  of  us  has  been  nurst  with  the  best 

*  milk.     God  grant  that  another  day  we  may 

*  drink  together  ;    but    if  our  last   hour  be 

*  come,  we    cannot  frustrate  the   decrees  of 

*  Fate.'  So  soon  as  they  had  all  drunk,  and 
encourag'd  one  another,  I  made  them  a  short 
Remonstrance  in  these  words,  saying,  *  Friends 

*  and  Companions,  we  are  now  ready  to  fall  on 

*  to  the  Assault,   and  every  man  is  to  shew 

*  the  best  he  can  do.     The  men  who  are  in 

*  this  place  are  of  those  who  with  the  Count 

*  de  Montgommery  destroyed  your  Churches 

*  and  ruined  your  houses  ;  You  must  make 

*  them  disgorge  what  they  have  swallowed  of 
*your  Estates.     If  we  carry  the  place,  and 

*  put  them  all  to  the  sword,  you  will  have  a 

*  good  bargain  of  the  rest  of  Beam.     Believe 

*  me  they  will  never  dare  to  stand  against  you. 

*  Go  on  then  in  the  name  of  God,  and  I  will 

*  immediately  follow.'  Which  being  said  I 
caused  the  Assault  to  be  sounded,  and  the 
two  Captains  immediately  fell  on  ;  where 
some  of  their  Soldiers  and  Ensigns  did  not 
behave  themselves  very  well.  Seeing  then 
that  those  were  not  likely  to  enter,  Monsieur 


RABASTENS  447 

de  Sainctorens  marcht  up  with  four  Ensigns 
more,  and  brought  them  up  to  the  Breach, 
which  did  no  better  than  the  former,  for  they 
stopt  four  or  five  paces  short  of  the  Counter- 
scarp, by  which  means  our  Canon  was  nothing 
hindred  from  playing  into  the  Breach,  which 
made  those  within  duck  down  behind  it.  1 
then  presently  perceiv'd  that  some  body  else 
and  other  kind  of  men  than  the  Foot  must 
put  their  hands  to  the  work  ;  which  made 
me  presently  forget  the  conceit  I  had  of  being 
kill'd  or  wounded,  and  said  to  the  Gentlemen 
these  words.  '  Comrades,  no  body  knows 
'  how  to  fight  but  the  Nobless,  and   we  are 

*  to  expect  no  Victory  but  by  our  own  hands, 

*  let  us  go  then,  I  will  lead  you  the  way,  and 

*  let  you  see  that  a  good  horse  will  never  be 

*  resty.     Follow  boldly,  and  go  on  without 

*  fear,  for  we  cannot  wish  for  a  more  honour- 

*  able  death.  We  deferre  the  time  too  long, 
Met  us  fall  on.'  I  then  took  Monsieur  de 
Gohas  by  the  hand,  to  whom  I  said,  *  Mon- 

*  sieur  de  Gohas,  I  will  that  you  and  I  fight 

*  together,     I     pray     therefore    let    us     not 

*  part  ;   and    if    I    be    kill'd     or     wounded, 

*  never    take    notice    of  me,    but    leave   me 

*  there  and   push   forward,  that   the  Victory 

*  however  may  remain  to  the  King '  :  and  so 
we  went  on  as  cheerfully  as  ever  I  saw  men 


448         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

go  on  to  an  Assault  in  my  life,  and  looking 
twice  behind  me,  saw  that  the  Gentlemen 
almost  toucht  one  another  they  came  up  so 
close.  There  was  a  large  Plain  of  an  hundred 
and  fifty  paces  over  or  more,  all  open,  over 
which  we  were  to  march  to  come  up  to  the 
Breach,  which  as  v/e  passed  over,  the  Enemy 
fir'd  with  great  fury  upon  us  all  the  way,  and 
I  had  six  Gentlemen  shot  close  by  me.  One 
of  which  was  the  Sieur  de  Besoles  ;  his  shot 
was  in  his  arm,  and  so  great  a  one  that  he 
had  like  to  have  died  of  his  wounds  ;  the 
Viscount  de  Labatut  was  another,  and  his  was 
in  his  leg  :  I  cannot  tell  the  names  of  the 
rest,  because  I  did  not  know  them.  Monsieur 
de  Gohas  had  brought  seven  or  eight  along 
with  him,  and  amongst  the  rest  Captain 
Savaillan  the  elder,  of  which  three  were  slain, 
and  the  said  Captain  Savaillen  wounded  with 
a  Harquebuze  shot  quite  through  the  face. 
There  were  also  hurt  one  Captain  du  Plex, 
another  Captain  la  Bastide,  both  Kinsmen  of 
mine  about  Villeneufue,  who  had  alwayes 
serv'd  under  Monsieur  de  Brissac,  one 
Captain  Rantoy  of  Damasan,  and  Captain 
Sales  of  Beam,  v/ho  had  before  been  wounded 
with  the  thrust  of  a  Pike  in  the  Eye.  There 
were  two  little  chambers  about  a  Pike  height 
or  more  trom  the  ground,  v/hich  Chambers 


RABASTENS  449 

the  Enemy  so  defended  both  above  and 
below,  that  not  a  man  of  ours  could  put  up 
his  head  without  being  seen  ;  however,  our 
people  began  to  assault  them  with  a  great 
shower  of  stones,  which  they  pour'd  in 
upon  them,  and  they  also  shot  at  us,  but  ours 
throwing  downwards  had  the  advantage  of 
this  kind  of  fight.  Now  I  had  caused  three 
or  four  Ladders  to  be  brought  to  the  edge 
of  the  Grasse,  and  as  I  turn'd  about  to  call 
for  two  of  them  to  be  brought  to  me,  a 
Harquebuze-shot  clapt  into  my  face,  from 
the  corner  of  a  Barricado  joyning  to  the 
Tower,  where  I  do  not  think  there  could  be 
four  Harquebuzeers,  for  all  the  rest  of  the 
Barricado  had  been  beaten  down  by  our  two 
Canon  that  play'd  upon  the  Flanck.  I  was 
immediately  all  over  blood,  for  it  gusht  out 
at  my  mouth,  nose,  and  eyes  ;  whereupon 
Monsieur  de  Gohas  would  have  caught  me 
in  his  arms,  thinking  1  would  fall,  but  I 
said,  *  Let  me  alone,  I  shall  not  fall,  follow 
'  your  point.'  Upon  this  shot  of  mine, 
almost  all  the  Soldiers  and  the  Gentlemen 
began  to  lose  courage,  and  to  retire,  which 
made  me  cry  out  to  them,  though  I  could 
scarce  speak,  by  reason  of  the  torrent  of 
blood  that  pasht  out  of  my  mouth 
and  nose  ;  'Whither  will  you  go, 
2  F 


450       BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

*  Gentlemen,  whither  will  ye  go  ?  will  ye  be 

*  terrified  for  me  ?  do  not  flinch  or  forsake 

*  the  fight,  for  I  have  no  hurt,  and  let  every 

*  one  return  to  his  place '  ;  in  the  mean  time 
hiding  the  blood  in  the  best  manner  I  could  : 
and  to  Monsieur  de  Gohas  I  said,  *  Monsieur 
'  de  Gohas,  take  care  1  beseech  you  that  the 

*  Soldiers  be  not  discouraged,  and  renew  the 

*  Assault.'  I  could  no  longer  stay  there,  for 
1  began  to  faint,  and  therefore  said  to  the 
Gentlemen,  *  I  will  go  get  my  self  drest,  but 
'  if  you   love    me,  let    no   one  follow,    but 

*  revenge  me  '  :  Which  having  said  1  took 
a  Gentleman  by  the  hand,  I  cannot  tell  his 
name,  for  1  could  scarce  see  him,  and  return'd 
by  the  same  way  I  came,  where  by  the  way 
I  found  a  little  Horse  of  a  Soldiers,  upon 
which  by  the  Gentlemans  assistance  I 
mounted  as  well  as  I  could,  and  after  that 
manner  was  conducted  to  my  Lodging  ; 
where  I  found  a  Chirurgeon  of  Monsieur  de 
Gohas,  called  Maistre  Simon,  who  drest  me, 
and  with  his  fingers  (so  wide  were  the 
Orifices  of  the  wound)  pull'd  out  the  bones 
from  my  two  cheeks,  and  cut  away  a  great 
deal  of  flesh  from  my  face,  which  was  all 
bruis'd  and  torn. 

Monsieur  de  Gramond  was  upon  a  little 
Eminence  hard  by,  looking  on  at  his  ease, 


RABASTENS  451 

who  being  of  this  new  Religion,  though  he 
had  never  born  arms  against  the  King,  had 
no  mind  to  meddle  amongst  us.  He  was 
aware  how  upon  my  hurt  all  the  Soldiers 
were  dishearten'd,  and  said  to  those  who  were 
with  him,  *  There  is  some  eminent  person 
'  slain,  see  how  the  Soldiers  are  discourag'd,  I 
'  am  afraid  it  is  Monsieur  de  Montluc,'  and 
therefore  said  to  one  of  his  Gentlemen,  call'd 
Monsieur  de  Sart,  *  Go  run  and  see  who  it 

*  is,  and  if  it  be  he,  and  that  he  is  not  dead, 

*  tell  him  that  I  entreat  him  to  give  me  leave 
*to  come  and  see  him.'  The  said  Sieur  de 
Sart  is  a  Catholick,  who  accordingly  came, 
and  at  his  entring  into  the  Town  he  heard 
that  it  was  I  that  was  hurt,  and  coming  to 
my  Lodging  found  my  people  weeping  for 
me,  and  me  tumbled  upon  a  Pallet  upon  the 
ground  ;  where  he  told  me  that  Monsieur 
de  Gramont  begg'd  leave  that  he  might  come 
to  see  me.  To  which  I  made  answer  that 
there  was  no  unkindness  betwixt  Monsieur 
de  Gramont  and  me,  and  that  if  he  pleased 
to  come,  he  would  find  that  he  had  as  many 
friends  in  our  Camp,  and  peradventure  more 
than  in  that  of  their  Religion.  He  was  no 
sooner  gone  from  me,  but  Monsieur  de 
Madaillan  my  Lieutenant,  who  had  marcht 
on  the  one  hand  of  me  when  I  went  on  to 


452         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

the  Assault,  as  Monsieur  de  Gohas  did  on 
the  other,  came  to  see  if  I  was  dead,  and 
said  to  me  ;  '  Sir,  Cheer  up  your  spirits,  and 
*rejoyce,  we  have  entred  the  Castle,  and  the 
'  Soldiers  are  laying  about  them,  who  put  all 

*  to  the  sword  ;  and  assure  your  self  we  will 

*  revenge  your  wound.'     I  then  said  to  him, 

*  Praised  be  God  that  I  see  the  Victory  ours 

*  before  I  dye.     I  now  care  not  for  death.     I 

*  beseech  you  return  back,  and  as  you  have 

*  ever  been  my  friend,  so  now  do  me  that  act 

*  of  friendship  not  to  suffer  so  much  as  one 
*man  to  escape  with  life.'  Whereupon  he 
immediately  return'd,  and  all  my  Servants 
went  along  with  him,  so  that  I  had  no  body 
left  with  me  but  two  Pages,  Monsieur  de 
Las,  and  the  Chirurgeon.  They  would  fain 
have  sav'd  the  Minister,  and  the  Governor, 
whose  name  was  Captain  Ladon,  to  have 
hang'd  them  before  my  Lodging,  but  the 
Soldiers  took  them  from  those  who  had  them 
in  their  custody,  whom  they  had  also  like  to 
have  kill'd  for  offring  to  save  them,  and  cut 
them  in  a  thousand  pieces.  They  made  also 
fifty  or  threescore  to  leap  from  the  high 
Tower  into  the  Moat,  which  were  there  all 
drown'd.  There  were  two  only  saved  who 
were  hid,  and  such  there  were  who  oifer'd 
four  thousand  crowns  to  save  their  lives,  but 


RABASTENS  453 

not  a  man  of  ours  would  hearken  to  any 
Ransom  ;  and  most  of  the  women  were 
kill'd,  who  also  did  us  a  great  deal  of  mischief 
with  throwing  stones.  There  was  found 
within  a  Spanish  Merchant  whom  the  Enemy 
had  kept  prisoner  there,  and  another  Catholick 
Merchant  also,  who  were  both  saved  ;  and 
these  were  all  that  w^ere  left  alive  of  the  men 
that  we  found  in  the  place,  namely  the  two 
that  some  one  help't  away,  and  the  two 
Catholick  Merchants.  Do  not  think,  you 
who  shall  read  this  Book,  that  I  caused  this 
slaughter  to  be  made  so  much  out  of  revenge 
for  the  wound  I  had  receiv'd,  as  to  strike 
terror  into  the  Country,  that  they  might  not 
dare  to  make  head  against  our  Army.  And 
in  my  opinion  all  Souldiers  in  the  beginning 
of  a  Conquest  ought  to  proceed  after  that 
rr.anner,  with  such  as  are  so  impudent  as  to 
abide  Canon  ;  he  must  bar  his  ears  to  all 
Capitulation  and  Composition,  if  he  do  not 
see  great  difficulties  in  his  Enterprize,  and 
that  his  Enemy  have  put  him  to  great  trouble 
in  making  a  Breach.  And  as  severity  (call  it 
cruelty  if  you  please)  is  requisite  in  case  of  a 
resolute  opposition,  so  on  the  other  side 
mercy  is  very  commendable  and  fit,  if  you 
see  that  they  in  good  time  surrender  to  your 
discretion. 


454         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

Monsieur  de  Gramond  then  came  to  visit 
me,  and  found  me  in  a  very  ill  condition,  for 
I  had  much  ado  to  speak  to  him,  by  reason 
of  the  great  quantity  of  blood  that  issued 
from  my  mouth  ;  Monsieur  de  Gohas  also 
immediately  after  him  came  back  from  the 
fight    to    see    me  ;    saying,    '  Take    comfort 

*  Monsieur,  and  cheer  up,  upon  my  word  we 
'  have  sufficiently  reveng'd  you,  for  there  is 

*  not  one  man  left  alive.'  He  thereupon 
knew  Monsieur  de  Gramond,  and  saluted 
him,  who  after  they  had  embraced,  entreated 
him  to  carry  him  to  the  Castle,  which  he  did, 
where  Monsieur  de  Gramond  found  the 
taking  of  it  exceeding  strange,  saying  he 
could  never  have  believ'd  this  place  had  been 
near  so  strong,  and  that  had  I  attaqu'd 
Navarreins  it  would  have  been  more  easily 
taken.  He  would  then  needs  see  all  the 
removes  I  had  made  of  the  Canon,  which 
having  seen,  he  said  it  had  not  been  requisite 
that  we  should  have  omitted  any  thing  of  the 
Battery.  About  an  hour  after  he  return'd, 
where  he  ofFer'd  me  a  House  of  his  hard  by, 
and  all  other  things  in  his  power,  and  has 
since  told  me  that  at  that  time,  and  in  the 
condition  he  then  saw  me,  he  never  thought 
I  could  have  liv'd  till  the  next  day,  and 
believed  he  had  taken  his  leave  of  me  for  ever. 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL       455 


MoNLUC    TAKES    LeaVE    OF    HIS    ReADERS 

Behold  now  (fellows  in  Arms)  you  who 
shall  read  my  life,  the  end  of  the  Wars  in 
which  I  have  serv'd  five  and  fifty  years 
together  that  I  had  the  honor  to  be  in 
Command  for  the  Kings  my  Masters.  From 
which  services,  that  I  might  not  forget 
them,  I  brought  away  seven  Harquebuze- 
shots  for  a  Memorandum,  and  several  other 
wounds  besides,  there  being  not  a  limb  in  all 
my  body  that  has  escaped,  my  right  arm 
only  excepted.  But  I  have  by  those  wounds 
purchased  a  renown  throughout  Europe,  and 
my  name  is  known  in  the  remotest  Kingdoms, 
which  I  esteem  more  than  all  the  riches  in 
the  world  ;  and  by  the  Grace  of  God,  who 
has  ever  been  assisting  to  me,  I  will  carry 
this  reputation  along  with  me  to  my  Grave. 
This  is  a  marvelous  contentment  to  me  when 
I  think  upon  it,  and  call  to  mind  how  I  am 
step  by  step  arriv'd  to  this  degree  of  honor, 
and  thorough  so  many  dangers  am  come  to 
enjoy  the  short  repose  that  remains  to  me  in 
this  world,  in  the  calm  and  privacie  of  my 
own  house,  that  I  may  have  leisure  to  ask 
God  forgiveness  for  the  sins  I  have  com- 
mitted.     Oh  if  his  mercie  was  not  mfinitely 


456         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

great,  in  how  dangerous  a  condition  were  all 
those  that  bear  arms,  especially  that  are  in 
command  ;  for  the  necessity  of  war  forces  us 
in  despite  of  our  own  inclinations  to  commit 
a  thousand  mischiefs,  and  to  make  no  more 
account  of  the  lives  of  men  than  of  a 
Chicken  :  to  which  the  complaints  and 
outcries  of  the  people,  whom  we  are  con- 
strain'd  in  despite  of  us  every  day  to  swallow 
up  and  devoure,  and  the  Widows  and  the 
Fatherless  that  we  every  day  do  make,  load 
us  with  all  the  curses  and  execrations,  misery 
and  affliction  can  help  them  to  invent,  which 
by  importuning  the  Almighty,  and  daily 
imploring  the  assistance  of  the  Saints,  'tis 
to  be  feared  lye  some  of  them  heavie  upon 
our  heads.  But  doubtless  Kings  shall  yet 
have  a  sadder  account  to  make  than  we  ;  for 
they  make  us  commit  those  evils  (as  I  told 
the  King  in  discourse  in  Tholouze)  and  there 
is  no  mischief  whereof  they  are  not  the  cause  : 
for  seeing  they  will  make  warres,  they  should 
at  least  pay  those  who  venture  their  lives  to 
execute  their  passions,  that  they  may  not 
commit  so  many  mischiefs  as  they  do.  I 
think  my  self  then  exceedingly  happy  in  that 
God  has  g-iven  me  leisure  to  think  of  the 
sins  I  have  committed,  or  rather  that  the 
necessity  of  war  has  enforc'd  me  to  commit. 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL       457 

For  I  am  not  naturally  addicted  to  mischief ; 
above  all  I  have  ever  been  an  enemie  to  the 
vice  of  impurity,  and  a  sworn  adversary  to 
all  disloyalty  and  treason.  I  know  very 
well  and  confess  that  my  passion  has  made 
me  say  and  do  things  for  which  I  now  cry 
M.ea  Culpa  ;  but  'tis  now  too  late  to  redress 
them,  and  I  have  one  that  lies  heavier  upon 
my  heart  than  all  the  rest.  But  had  I 
proceeded  otherwise  every  one  would  have 
flirted  me  on  the  nose,  and  the  least  Consul 
of  a  Village  would  have  clapt  too  his  Gates 
against  me,  had  I  not  alwaies  had  the  Canon 
at  my  heels  ;  for  every  one  had  a  mind  to 
Lord  it.  God  knows  how  fit  I  was  to  endure 
such  affronts  ;  but  all's  done  and  past  ;  my 
hand  was  ever  as  prompt  as  my  tongue,  and 
it  was  but  a  word  and  a  blow.  I  could  have 
wisht,  could  I  have  perswaded  my  self  to  it, 
never  to  have  worn  a  Sword  by  my  side,  but 
my  nature  was  quite  otherwise,  which  made 
me  carry  for  my  device,  Deo  Duce^  Ferro 
Comite.  One  thing  I  can  truly  say  of  my 
self,  that  never  any  Kings  Lieutenant  had 
more  commiseration  of  the  ruine  of  the 
people  than  I,  in  all  places  where  ever  I 
came.  But  it  is  impossible  to  discharge 
those  Commands  without  doing  mischief, 
unless   the   King  had   his    Cofi^ers   cramm'd 


458         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

with  Gold  to  pay  his  Armies  ;  and  yet  it 
would  be  much  to  do.  I  know  not  if  those 
that  succeed  me  will  do  better  ;  but  I  do  not 
believe  it.  All  the  Catholicks  of  Guienne 
can  witness  if  I  did  not  alwaies  spare  the 
people  :  for  I  appeal  from  the  Hugonots,  I 
have  done  them  too  much  mischief  to  give 
me  any  good  testimonie  ;  and  yet  I  have  not 
done  them  enough,  nor  so  much  as  I  would  ; 
my  good  will  was  not  wanting.  Neither  do 
I  care  for  their  speaking  ill  of  me,  for  they 
will  say  as  much  or  more  of  their  Kings. 

But  before  I  put  an  end  to  this  Book  of 
mine,  which  my  name  will  cause  to  be  read 
by  many,  I  shall  desire  all  such  as  shall  take 
the  pains  to  read  these  Commentaries,  not  to 
think  me  so  ingrate  that  I  do  not  acknowledg, 
after  God,  to  hold  all  I  have  of  Estate  and 
Preferment  of  the  Kings  my  Masters, 
especially  of  my  good  Master  King  Henry, 
whom  God  absolve.  And  if  I  have  in  some 
places  of  my  Book  said  that  wounds  were  the 
recompence  of  my  service,  it  is  not  at 
all  intended  to  reproach  them  with  the  blood 
1  have  lost  in  their  quarrels.  On  the 
contrary  I  think  the  blood  of  my  Sons  who 
died  in  their  service  very  well  employed. 
God  gave  them  to  me,  and  he  took  them 
from  me.     I  have  lost  three  in  their  service  : 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL      459 

Marc  Anthony  my  eldest,  Bertrand  (to  whom 
I  gave  the  name  of  Peyrot  (which  is  one  of 
our  Gascon  names)  by  reason  that  Bertrand 
did  not  please  me),  and  Fabian,  Seigneur  de 
Montesquieu.  God  gave  me  also  three 
others.  For  of  my  second  Son  I  had  Blaize, 
and  of  my  youngest  Adrian  and  Blaize, 
whom  God  preserve  that  they  may  be 
serviceable  to  their  Kings  and  country, 
without  dishonouring  their  Race  ;  that  they 
may  well  study  my  Book,  and  so  imitate  my 
life,  that,  if  possible,  they  may  surpass  their 
Grandsire  ;  and  I  beseech  your  Majestie  be 
mindful  of  them.  I  have  left  them,  amongst 
my  Papers,  the  Letter  your  Majestie  was 
pleased  to  write  to  me  from  Villi ers  dated 
the  3.  of  December  1570,  which  contains 
these  words.     *  Assure  your  self  that  I  shall 

*  ever  be  mindful  of  your  many  and  great 

*  services,  for  which  if  you  shall  in  your  own 

*  person  fall  short  of  a  worthy  recompence, 

*  your  posterity  shall  reap  the  fruits  of  your 

*  merit  ;  as  also  they  are  such,  and  have  so 
'  well  behav'd  themselves  in  my  service,  that 

*  they  have  of  themselves  very  well  deserv'd 

*  my  acknovdedgment,  and  that  I  should  do 

*  for  them  what  I  shall  be  very  ready  to  do 

*  whenever    an    opportunity    shall     present 

*  itself     Sir,  this  is  your  Majesties  promise. 


460         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

and  a  King  should  never  say  or  promise  any 
thing  but  he  will  perform. 

I  do  not  then  by  any  means  reproach  my 
Masters  ;  and  I  ought  also  to  be  satisfied, 
though  I  am  not  rich,  that  a  poor  Cadet  of 
Gascony  is  arriv'd  at  the  highest  Dignities  of 
the  Kingdom.  I  sent  several  at  this  day 
who  murmur  and  repine  at  their  Majesties, 
and  for  the  most  part  those  who  have  done 
little  or  nothing  make  the  greatest  complaints. 
In  others  who  have  really  deserv'd  something 
it  is  a  little  more  pardonable  :  all  that  we 
have,  of  what  degree  so  ever  we  are,  we  hold 
it  of  the  Kings  our  Masters.  So  many  great 
Princes,  Lords,  Captains,  and  Soldiers,  both 
living  and  dead,  owe  to  the  King  the  honors 
they  have  receiv'd  ;  and  their  Names  shall 
live  by  the  Employments  they  have  receiv'd 
from  the  Kings  they  serv'd,  and  were  not 
only  enterr'd  with  those  honorable  Titles, 
but  have  moreover  honour'd  those  who  are 
descended  of  them,  and  mention  will  be  made 
of  their  virtue  whilst  any  records  of  honour 
remain  in  the  world.  I  have  listed  a  good 
number  in  my  Book,  and  have  my  self  had 
Soldiers  under  my  Command,  who  have  been 
no  better  in  their  Extraction,  than  the  sons 
of  poor  labouring  men,  who  have  liv'd  and 
died  in  a  reputation  as  great  and  high  as  they 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL      461 

had  been  Sons  of  Lords,  through  their  own 
virtue,  and  the  esteem  the  Kings  and  their 
Lieutenants  had  of  them.  When  my  Son 
Marc  Antony  was  carried  dead  to  Rome,  the 
Pope  and  all  the  Cardinals,  the  Senate  and 
all  the  People  of  Rome  payd  as  much  honor 
to  his  Hearse  as  if  he  had  been  a  Prince  of 
the  blood.  And  what  was  the  cause  of  all 
this,  but  only  his  own  Valour,  my  Reputation, 
and  my  King,  who  had  made  me  what  I  was  ? 
So  that  the  name  of  Marc  Antony  is  again  to 
be  found  in  the  Roman  Annals.  When  I 
first  entred  into  Arms  out  of  my  Page-ship 
in  the  House  of  Lorrain,  there  was  no  other 
discourse  but  of  the  great  Gonsalvo,  call'd 
the  great  Captain,  How  great  an  honor  was 
it  to  him  (which  also  will  last  for  ever)  to  be 
crown'd  with  so  many  Victories  ?  I  have 
heard  it  told  that  King  Lewis  and  King 
Ferdinand  being  together,  I  know  not  at 
what  place,  but  it  was  somewhere  where  they 
had  appointed  an  Interview,  these  two  great 
Princes  being  sat  at  Table  together,  our  King 
entreated  the  King  of  Spain  to  give  leave 
that  Gonsalvo  might  dine  with  them  ;  which 
he  accordingly  did,  whilst  men  of  far  greater 
quality  than  he  stood  waiting  by.  So  con- 
siderable had  the  King  his  Masters  favour 
and  his  own  valour  made  him.    This  was  the 


462         BLAISE  DE   MONLUC 

honor  he  receiv'd  from  the  King  of  France, 
who  in  recompence  for  his  having  depriv'd 
him  of  the  Kingdom  of  Naples  put  a  weighty- 
chain  of  Gold  about  his  neck.  I  have  heard 
Monsieur  de  Lautrec  say  that  he  never  took 
so  much  delight  in  looking  upon  any  man,  as 
upon  that  same.  O  how  fair  an  Example  is 
this  for  those  who  intend  to  advance  them- 
selves by  Arms  !  When  I  went  the  second 
time  into  Italy,  as  I  passed  through  the  Streets 
of  Rome,  every  one  ran  to  the  windows  to 
see  him  that  had  defended  Sienna,  which  was 
a  greater  satisfaction  to  me  than  all  the  Riches 
of  the  Earth.  I  could  produce  several 
Exemples  of  French  men  of  very  mean 
Extraction,  who  have  by  Arms  arriv'd  at 
very  great  Preferments  :  but  out  of  respect 
to  their  Posteritie  I  shall  forbear  ;  but  it  was 
the  bounty  of  their  Kings  that  so  advanc'd 
them  for  the  recompence  of  their  brave 
services. 

It  is  then  just  that  we  confess,  we  could 
be  nothing  without  their  bountie  and  favour, 
if  we  serve  them,  'tis  out  of  obedience  to  the 
Commandment  of  God,  and  we  ought  not  to 
try  to  obtain  rewards  by  importunities  and 
reproaches  ;  and  if  any  one  be  ill  rewarded, 
the  fault  is  not  in  our  Kings,  but  in  them 
who   are  about  them,   that  do   not  acquaint 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL       463 

them  who  have  serv'd  well  or  ill  (for  there 
are  many  of  both  sorts)  to  the  end  that  his 
Majesties  largess  should  be  rightly  placed. 
And  there  is  nothing  that  goes  so  much  to 
the  heart  of  a  brave  and  loyal  Subject,  as  to 
see  the  King  heap  honors  and  rewards  upon 
such  as  have  serv'd  him  ill.  1  am  sure  it  is 
that  that  has  vext  me  more  than  any  dis- 
appointment of  my  own.  1  have  often  heard 
some  men  say  the  King  pr  the  Queen  have 
done  this  and  that  for  such  a  one,  why  should 
they  not  do  as  much  for  me  ?  I  know  also 
that  their  Majesties  have  said,  *  They  will  no 

*  more  commit  such  over-sights,  we  must  wink 

*  at  this  one  fault '  :  but  it  was  the  next  day 
to  begin  the  same  again.  However  a  man 
ought  never  to  stomack  anything  from  his 
Prince.  The  honor  of  such  men  lies  in  a 
very  contemptible  place,  since  they  more 
value  a  reward  or  a  benefit  than  their  own 
reputation  or  renown,  and  are  so  ready  to 
take  snuff  if  they  fail  of  their  expectation. 
And  moreover  (as  I  have  already  said)  they 
are  commonly  men  that  have  never  strook 
three  strokes  with  a  sword,  and  yet  will 
vapour  what  dangers  they  have  passed,  and 
what  hardships  they  have  endur'd.  If  a  man 
should  strip  them  naked,  one  might  see  many 
a  proper  fellow  that  has  not  so  much  as  one 


464         BLAISE  DE  MONLUC 

scar  in  all  his  body.  Such  men,  if  they  have 
born  arms  any  while,  are  very  fortunate,  and 
at  the  day  of  Judgment  if  they  go  into 
Paradise,  will  carry  all  their  blood  along  with 
them,  without  having  lost  one  dram  of  their 
own,  or  having  shed  one  drop  of  any  others 
here  upon  earth. 

Others  I  have  heard,  and  of  all  sorts  of 
men  even  to  the  meanest,  complain  that  they 
have  serv'd  the  King  four,  five  or  six  years, 
and  notwithstanding  have  not  been  able  to 
get  above  three  or  four  thousand  Livers 
yearly  Rent  :  poor  men  they  are  sore  hurt. 
I  speak  not  of  the  Soldiers  only,  but  of  all 
other  conditions  of  men  his  Majestic  makes 
use  of.  I  have  heard  my  Father,  who  was  an 
old  man,  and  others  older  than  he,  report  that 
it  was  a  common  saying  at  Court,  and 
throughout  the  whole  Kingdom  in  the  Reign 
of  Lewis  the  Twelfth. 

Chastillon,  Bourdillon, 
Galliot,  y  Bonneval, 
Governent  le  Sang  Royal, 

and  yet  I  dare  be  bold  to  say,  that  all  these 
four  Lords  who  govern'd  two  Kings,  put 
them  all  together,  never  got  ten  thousand 
Livers  yearly  Revenue.  I  have  formerly 
said  as  much  to  the  Mareschal  de  Bourdillon, 


MONLUCS   FAREWELL      465 

who  thereupon  return'd  me  answer,  that  his 
Predecessor  was  so  far  from  getting  3000 
Livers  a  year,  that  he  sold  1 500,  and  left  his 
family  very  necessitous.  Should  any  one 
ask  the  Admiral  to  shew  what  his  Predecessor, 
who  govern 'd  all,  got  by  his  favour,  I  durst 
lay  a  good  wager  he  could  not  produce 
2000  Livers  yearly  Revenue.  As  for  Galliot 
he  liv'd  a  great  while  after  the  others,  and  he 
peradventure  might  in  that  long  time  rake 
together  three  or  four  thousand  Livers  a  year. 
For  what  concerns  Bonneval  ;  Monsieur  de 
Bonneval  that  now  is  and  Monsieur  de  Biron 
are  his  Heirs,  and  I  believe  they  can  boast  of 
no  great  Estates.  O  happy  Kings  that  had 
such  servants.  'Tis  easie  to  discern  that 
these  men  serv'd  their  Masters  out  of  the 
love  and  affection  they  bore  to  their  persons 
and  the  Crown,  and  not  upon  the  account  of 
reward  ;  and  I  have  heard  that  they  evermore 
rather  begg'd  for  the  King's  own  Domestick 
Servants,  than  for  them  selves.  They  are 
gone  down  to  their  Graves  with  honor,  and 
their  Successors  are  not  nevertheless  in  want. 
Since  I  have  spoken  of  others,  I  will  now 
say  something  of  myself.  Some  perhaps 
after  1  am  dead  will  talk  of  me,  as  1  talk  of 
others.  I  confess  that  I  am  very  much 
oblig'd  to  the  Kings  I  have  serv'd,  especially 
2  G 


466        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

to  Henry  my  good  Master,  as  I  have  often 
said  before,  and  1  had  now  been  no  more 
than  a  private  Gentleman,  had  it  not  been  for 
their  bounty,  and  the  opportunities  they  gave 
me  to  acquire  that  reputation  I  have  in  the 
world  ;  which  I  value  above  all  the  treasure 
the  Earth  contains,  having  immortaliz'd  the 
name  of  Montluc.  And  although  during  the 
long  time  that  I  have  born  Arms  I  have 
acquir'd  but  very  little  wealth,  yet  has  no  one 
ever  heard  me  complain  of  the  Kings  my 
Masters  :  marry  I  have  spoke  at  mouth  of 
those  about  them,  when  in  these  late  Troubles 
I  was  calumniated  by  them,  as  if  I  could  have 
done  all  things  with  nothing.  Believe  me 
the  wounds  1  have  receiv'd  have  administred 
more  comfort  than  affliction  to  me  ;  and  one 
thing  I  am  sure  of,  that  when  I  am  dead  they 
can  hardly  say  that  at  the  Resurrection  I 
shall  carry  all  the  blood,  bones,  and  veins  I 
brought  with  me  into  the  world  from  my 
mother's  womb,  along  with  me  into  Paradise. 
As  for  riches  1  have  enough.  It  is  true,  that 
had  I  been  bred  up  in  the  School  of  the 
Baylif  of  Esperon  I  should  have  had  more  ; 
the  story  is  not  amiss,  and  therefore  I  shall 
insert  it  here. 

Lewis  the  Twelfth  going  to  Bayonne  lay 
in  a  village  call'd  Esperon,  which  is  nearer  to 


MONLUC'S   FAREWELL      467 

Bayonne  than  to  Bourdeaux.  Now  upon  the 
great  Road  betwixt  these  two  places,  the 
Baylif  had  built  a  very  noble  House.  The 
King  thought  it  very  strange,  that  in  a 
Country  so  bare  and  barren  as  that  was,  and 
amongst  Downs  and  Sands  that  would  bear 
nothing,  this  Bayliff  should  build  so  fine  a 
House,  and  at  supper  was  speaking  of  it  to 
the  Chamberlain  of  his  Household  ;  who 
made  answer  that  the  Baylif  was  a  rich  man  : 
which  the  King  not  knowing  how  to  believe, 
considering  the  wretched  Country  his  house 
was  seated  dn,  he  immediately  sent  for  him, 
and   said  .to   him  these  words.     'Come  on 

*  Baylif,  and  tell  me  why  you  did  not  build 

*  your  fine  House  in  some  place  where  the 

*  Country  was  good  and  fertile  ? '  '  Sir,' 
answer'd    the    Baylif,   '  I   was    born    in   this 

*  Country,  and  find   it  very  good  for   me.' 

*  Are  you  so  rich,'  said  the  King,  *  as  they  tell 

*  me  you  are  .'' '  '  I  am  not  poor,'  replied 
the  other,  *  I  have  (blessed  be  God)  where- 
'  withal  to  live.'  The  King  then  askt  him, 
how  it  was  possible  he  should  grow  so  rich 
in  so  pitiful  a  barren  country.  '  Why,  very 
'  easily  Sir,'  reply 'd  the  Baylif.  '  Tell  me 
'  then  which  way,'  said  the  King.  *  Marry 
*sir,'  answer'd  the  other,  'because  I  have 
'  ever  had  more  care  to  do  my  own  business. 


468        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

*  that!  that  of  my  Master,  or  my  neighbours.' 

*  The  Devil  refuse  me,'  said  the  King  (for  that 
was  alwaies  his  Oath)  '  thy  reason  is  very  good  ; 

*  for    doing    so,    and    rising    betimes,    thou 

*  couldst  not  choose  but  thrive.'  O  hov/ 
many  Sons  has  this  Baylif  left  behind  him  to 
inherit  this  virtuous  humour  1  I  was  never 
any  of  those.  I  do  really  believe  that  there 
is  never  a  little  Pedlar  in  the  world,  who, 
having  trotted,  run,  and  moyl'd  as  I  have 
done,  but  would  have  enricht  himself  to  a 
Merchant.  And  there  is  never  a  Treasurer 
nor  a  Receiver  (let  him  be  as  honest  as  he 
would)  in  the  Kingdom,  that  had  had  so 
much  money  pass  through  his  hands,  as  has 
done  through  mine,  but  more  would  have 
stuck  to  his  fingers.  I  have  been  seven  or 
eight  times  Captain  of  Foot,  which  is  none 
of  the  worst  Commands  for  getting  of  money  ; 
and  I  have  known  several  Captains  in  my 
time,  who  have  enricht  themselves  meerly 
out  of  their  Soldiers  pay.  I  was  not  so 
ignorant,  nor  so  raw  a  Soldier,  neither  did  I 
want  dexterity,  but  that  I  could  have  done 
the  feat  as  well  as  they  :  neither  was  it  any 
such  hard  matter  to  learn,  for  with  a  good 
Quarter-master  and  some  few  other  little 
helps  the  business  had  been  done.  I  have 
since  been  three  times  Camp-Master,  in  which 


MONLUC'S   FAREWELL      469 

Employment  God  Knows  I  might  have  had 
Skip-jacks  enow  to  have  made  Muster,  and 
intelligence  enough  with  the  Commissaries.  I 
could  have  discover'd  where  anything  was  to 
be  got,  as  soon  or  sooner  than  any  men  in 
the  Army,  I  had  nose  good  enough.  I  was 
often  Governor  of  a  place,  where  I  could 
have  had  fourscore  or  a  hundred  men  at  my 
devotion  to  have  passed  Muster,  as  Mes- 
sieurs les  Governeurs  know  well  how  to  do  : 
by  which  means  having  been  so  long  in 
these  Commands  as  I  have  been,  and  made 
so  many  Musters  as  I  have  done  in  my  life, 
with  a  little  good  husbanding.  Good  God ! 
what  a  Mountain  of  Gold  might  I  have  had  ! 
I  never  think  of  it  but  it  makes  me  wonder 
at  my  own  honesty  that  could  resist  so  many 
temptations.  I  was  moreover  the  King's 
Lieutenant  in  Sienna,  and  another  time  in 
Montalsin  ;  where  I  had  wayes  enow  to 
have  lin'd  my  pockets,  as  others  in  the  like 
Commands  have  done  :  for  it  had  been  no 
more  but  to  have  had  intelligence  with  three 
or  four  Merchants,  who  should  have  affirm'd 
that  the  Corn  of  the  Garrison  had  been 
bought  by  them,  and  taken  up  upon  their 
Credit,  and  it  had  been  done.  God  knows 
what  profits  are  made  of  these  Magazines. 
I  could  then  have  made  demands  upon  the 


470        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

account  of  borrowing,  and  have  deputed 
some  who  would  have  been  ready  to  have 
taken  the  Employment  upon  them,  to  have 
brought  in  a  hundred  or  two  hundred 
thousand  Francks  in  Debentures.  But 
instead  of  this  his  Majesty  owed  us  five 
payes  when  we  came  out  of  Sienna,  whereof 
I  found  means  to  acquit  him  of  three  so 
soon  as  we  came  to  Montalsin.  Afterwards 
the  second  time  that  I  was  sent  thither,  in 
the  place  of  Monsieur  de  Soubize,  I  stay'd 
six  weeks  by  the  Kings  Command  at  Rome 
with  the  Pope,  and  his  Majesties  Ambas- 
sadors and  Agents.  It  was  at  the  time  when 
the  Duke  of  Alva  made  war  with  his 
Holiness,  and  all  the  Sea-coast  was  ready  to 
be  abandon'd,  and  Grossette  was  not  able 
any  longer  to  subsist,  having  not  a  grain  of 
Corn,  no  more  then  the  other  Garrisons.  I 
found  at  Rome  some  Siennois  Gentlemen, 
that  marcht  out  of  Sienna  with  me,  who 
brought  me  acquainted  with  a  Banquer  call'd 
Julio  d'Albia,  a  Siennois  also,  who  upon  my 
own  bare  word  lent  me  600  Mogues  of 
Corn,  which  are  300  Tuns  or  Barrils,  at 
twelve  Muids  the  Barrel,  conditionally  that 
I  should  monthly  pay  him  600  Crowns  at 
every  Muster.  This  money  I  could  no 
way  raise  but  out  of  the  deductions  I  receiv'd 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL      471 

from  the  Musters,  and  instead  of  putting  it 
into  my  own  pocket,  I  accordingly  paid  him 
all,  the  last  payment  only  excepted ;  for 
there  was  no  more  money,  nor  means  to  have 
any  ;  so  that  we  made  no  Muster.  I  might 
have  made  my  advantage  of  this,  for  1 
furnisht  several  places  that  stood  in  need, 
according  to  the  authority  I  was  invested 
withal  ;  and  I  sav'd  half  the  Corn,  which  I 
lent  to  the  Country  people,  who  were  more 
distrest  for  bread  than  the  Soldiers.  There 
it  was  that  I  began  to  play  the  Usurer ;  but 
it  was  at  the  expence  of  the  Kings  Con- 
science ;  for,  for  every  Muid  that  I  lent 
them  then,  I  receiv'd  two  at  the  Harvest ; 
and  indeed  it  was  double  worth  at  the  time 
when  I  lent  it,  and  yet  a  penny  of  this  profit 
never  came  into  my  purse,  for  I  left  it  all  to 
the  King.  I  stay'd  yet  seven  months  longer 
in  these  parts,  without  receiving  so  much  as 
one  Pay  ;  during  four  months  of  which  I 
made  my  men  live  of  twenty  ounces  of  bread 
a  day  out  of  the  profits  I  made  of  the  Corn, 
saving  so  much  as  in  me  lay  my  Masters 
money.  The  other  three  months  I  paid  the 
Soldiers  with  good  words  and  the  liberality 
of  my  Bonnet,  as  I  had  done  at  Sienna. 
Some  time  after  Don  Francisco  arriv'd,  who 
found  Corn  yet  in  the  Magazine.     I  more- 


472        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

over  dealt  with  the  Dutchess  of  Castro,  Wife 
to  the  Duke  who  was  slain  at  Piacenza, 
who  knew  Monsieur  de  Valence  my 
Brother  at  the  time  when  he  was  in 
the  service  of  Pope  Paul  Farnese.  Pope 
Paul  Caraffa  had  made  a  Prohibition  that  no 
manner  of  Grain  should  be  carried  out  of 
Romania ;  but  this  Dutchess  under  hand 
permitted  certain  Merchants  to  bring  it  by- 
night  into  our  Territories,  where  our  mer- 
chants met,  and  bought  it  of  them.  I  carried 
this  practice  very  close,  of  which  I  could  have 
made  a  very  great  advantage  to  my  own 
private  profit  ;  but  never  so  much  as  one 
Liard  came  into  my  purse. 

I  could  have  brought  the  King  a  Bill  of 
two  or  three  hundred  thousand  Francs  debt, 
as  did  Signior  Jourdano  Corso,  and  others 
whom  I  shall  forbear  to  name,  who  were 
well  paid.  I  was  neither  so  simple,  nor  my 
opportunities  were  not  so  few,  but  that  I 
could  have  done  it  as  well  as  any  of  them.  I 
have  been  his  Majesties  Lieutenant  in  this 
Province  of  Guienne,  and  have  been  much 
up  and  down  abroad  in  the  world,  but  never 
saw  any  Country  equal  to  it,  either  in  Riches 
or  Convenience  of  Living.  And  having  such 
an  Employment,  I  could  have  had  intelligence 
with    the    Receiver  of  the   Province    (those 


MONLUC'S   FAREWELL      473 

kind  of  men  desire  no  better)  and  have  stufFt 
my  own  Coffers  ;  for  what  upon  Musters, 
Garrisons,  and  Equipages  of  the  Artillerie,  I 
could  have  made  infinite  advantages.  How 
many  Impositions  might  I  have  laid  upon 
the  County  ?  for  the  King  had  given  me 
power  to  do  it,  which  would  have  turn'd  to 
my  particular  benefit :  for  although  his 
Majesty  in  that  Commission  doubtless 
intended  those  Levies  for  his  own  service, 
I  could  if  I  would  have  put  the  charge  upon 
him,  and  have  converted  a  great  part  of 
them  to  my  own  proper  use.  I  could  if  I 
would  have  fir'd  Towns,  and  have  sent  a 
Will  with  the  wisp  up  and  down  to  the  Towns 
and  villages  to  whisper  the  principal  Inhabi- 
tants in  the  ear,  that  they  must  either  give 
me  money  to  free  them,  or  that  otherwise  I 
would  cause  them  to  be  undone,  and  come 
quarter  Soldiers  upon  them,  who  should  eat 
them  to  the  very  bones  :  for  they  know  men 
of  our  Trade  are  seldom  weary  of  ill  doing. 
I  could  also  have  sent  to  tell  the  Hugonots, 
who  liv'd  at  home  under  the  protection  of 
the  Edict,  that  unless  they  greased  me  in  the 
fist,  1  would  cause  them  all  to  be  ruin'd  and 
puU'd  in  pieces  ;  and  what  would  they  not 
have  given  me  to  have  secur'd  their  Lives 
and  Estates  ?  for  they  did  not  greatly  confide 


474        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

in  me,  hearing  how  I  had  handled  them 
before.  But  instead  of  making  use  of  such 
Artifices  of  these  to  enrich  my  self,  I  let  the 
Captains  and  Gens  d'arms,  and  others  who 
serv'd  the  King,  and  askt  it  of  me,  take  all  ; 
reserving  very  little  or  nothing  to  my  own 
benefit.  And  even  that  which  I  had  at 
Clairoe  I  took  by  the  King's  permission. 
Let  others  therefore  rest  content.  If  God 
would  please  to  let  me  be  once  cured  of  this 
great  Harquebuze-shot  in  my  Face,  I  think 
yet,  that  should  the  War  break  out  again,  I 
should  be  one  to  mount  to  horse  ;  and  I 
think  it  is  not  far  off ;  for  so  long  as  there 
are  two  Religions,  France  will  evermore  be 
in  division  and  trouble.  It  cannot  otherwise 
be,  and  the  worst  on't  is  'tis  a  War  that  will 
not  be  ended  of  a  long  time.  Other  quarrels 
are  easily  compos'd,  but  that  for  Religion 
has  no  end.  And  although  the  Martial  sort 
of  men  are  not  very  devout,  they  however 
side,  and  being  once  engag'd  stick  to  their 
Party.  In  the  posture  that  affairs  now  stand, 
1  do  not  think  we  are  at  an  end.  However 
I  have  this  satisfaction  in  my  self,  that  I  have 
to  my  utmost  opposed  it,  and  done  my  best 
endeavour  to  settle  the  peace  of  the  Kingdom. 
Would  to  God  that  all  those  who  have  been 
in  Command  had  conniv'd  no  more   than  I. 


MONLUC'S   FAREWELL      475 

But  we  must  let  God  work  his  own  will. 
After  he  has  sufficiently  scourg'd  us  for  our 
sins  he  will  burn  the  Rod. 

And  now,  you  Lords  and  Captains,  who 
shall  do  me  the  honor  to  read  my  Book,  let 
me  beseech  you  not  to  read  it  with  prejudice, 
but  believe  that  1  have  deliver'd  the  truth, 
without  depriving  any  one  of  his  due  and 
merited  honor.  1  make  no  question  but  that 
some  will  bring  some  things  that  1  have  here 
related  into  dispute,  to  see  if  they  can  catch 
me  tripping  in  point  of  truth  ;  forasmuch  as 
they  will  find  that  God  has  never  more 
accompanied  the  fortune  of  any  man,  for  the 
Employments  I  have  gone  through,  then  he 
did  mine.  But  let  me  assure  such  that  I 
have  omitted  an  infinite  number  of  passages 
and  particularities,  by  reason  that  I  never 
committed  any  thing  to  writing,  nor  ever 
kept  any  memorial,  as  never  suspecting  my 
self  to  become  a  Writer  of  Books.  I  ever 
thought  my  self  unfit  for  that  Employment, 
but  in  the  time  of  my  last  hurt,  and  during 
my  sicknesses  I  have  dictated  this  that  I 
leave  you,  to  the  end  that  my  name  may  not 
be  buried  in  oblivion  ;  nor  so  many  other 
gallant  men,  whom  I  have  seen  perform  so 
many  and  so  brave  exploits  :  for  the 
Historians     write      only     of     Kings      and 


476        BLAISE    DE    MONLUC 

Princes.  Plow  many  brave  Gentlemen  have 
I  here  set  down,  of  whom  these  people  make 
no  mention,  no  more  than  if  they  had  never 
been  ?  He  who  has  writ  the  Battle  of 
Cerisolles,  though  he  does  name  me,  yet  it 
is  but  slightly,  and  in  transitu  only  ;  and  yet 
I  can  honestly  boast  that  1  had  a  good  hand 
in  that  Victory  ;  as  also  at  Bullen  and 
Thionville.  Which  they  take  no  notice 
of  at  all,  no  more  than  of  the  valour  and 
gallant  behaviour  of  a  great  number  of  your 
Fathers  and  Kindred,  whose  names  you 
will  find  here.  Do  not  then  think  it 
strange  if  I  have  been  so  fortunate 
as  I  have  written,  for  1  never  minded  any- 
thing but  my  Command,  and  have  ever 
acknowledg'd  that  all  my  successes  came  from 
God,  into  whose  hands  I  ever  resign'd  my 
self  and  all  my  affairs  ;  although  the  Hugo- 
nots  were  pleased  to  report  me  for  an  Atheist. 
They  are  my  profest  enemies,  and  you  ought 
not  to  believe  them.  And  although  I  have 
had  my  imperfections  and  my  vices,  and  am 
no  more  a  Saint  than  other  men,  (they  had 
their  share  too  though  :hey  pretended  holi- 
ness and  mortification)  yet  I  have  ever  placed 
my  hope  in  God,  evermore  acknowledging 
that  from  Him  alone  I  was  to  expect  my  good 
or  evil  fortune,  attributing  to  his  bounty  and 


MONLUCS   FAREWELL      477 

assistance  all  the  successes  of  my  life. 
Neither  was  I  ever  in  any  action  whatever 
wherein  I  have  not  implor'd  his  Divine 
assistance,  and  never  passed  over  day  of  my 
life,  since  1  arriv'd  at  the  age  of  man,  without 
calling  upon  his  Name,  and  asking  pardon 
for  my  sins.  And  many  times  I  can  say  with 
truth  that  upon  sight  of  the  Enemy  I  have 
found  my  self  so  possest  with  fear,  that  I  felt 
my  heart  beat  and  my  limbs  tremble  (let  us 
not  make  our  selves  braver  than  we 
are  ;  for  every  man  upon  earth  apprehends 
death  when  he  sees  it  before  his  eyes)  but 
so  soon  as  I  had  made  my  prayer  to  God,  I 
felt  my  spirits  and  my  strength  return.  The 
prayer  which  I  continually  used,  from  my 
first  entring  into  Arms,  was  in  these  very 
words.     '  My  God,  who  hast  created  me,  I 

*  most  humbly  beseech  Thee  to  preserve  my 

*  Judgment  entire,  that  this  day  I  may  not 
'  lose   it ;  for  it  is  thou  that  gavest    it   me, 

*  and  I  hold  it  from  no  other  but  thee  alone. 

*  If  thou  hast  this  day  appointed  me  to  die, 
'  grant  that  1  may  fall  with  the  resolution  of 

*  a  man  of  honor,  which  1  have  sought  for 

*  through  so  many  dangers.     I  ask  thee  not 

*  my  life,  for  I  desire  nothing  but  what  pleases 
*thee.     Thy   will   be   done.     I   resigne   all 

*  things  to  thy  divine  wisdom  and  bounty.' 


478        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

After  which  having  said  my  little  Latin 
prayers,  I  declare  and  protest  in  the  presence 
of  God  and  men,  that  I  suddenly  felt  a  heat 
creep  over  my  heart  and  members,  so  that  I 
had  no  sooner  made  an  end,  but  that  I  found 
my  self  quite  another  man  than  when  I  began. 
I  was  no  more  afraid,  and  my  understanding 
again  return'd  to  perform  its  Office,  so  that 
with  promptitude  and  judgment  I  discern'd 
what  I  had  to  do,  without  ever  losing  it  after 
in  any  Engagement  wherein  I  have  ever 
been. 

How  many  are  departed  this  life,  who  were 
they  now  living  could  witness  if  ever  they 
saw  me  astonisht  or  lose  my  judgment  in 
any  action  of  war,  whether  at  an  Assault,  or 
in  any  other  Recounter  or  Battel.  Messieurs 
de  Lautrec,  de  1'  Escut,  de  Barbezieux,  de 
Montpezat,  de  Termes,  du  Bie,  de  Strozzy, 
de  Bourdillon,  de  Brissac,  d'Anguien,  de 
Boitieres,  and  de  Guise  could  have  given 
testimony  of  me  ;  for  they  had  all  had  me 
under  their  Command,  and  have  all  seen  me 
in  a  thousand  and  a  thousand  dangers,  with- 
out the  least  sign  of  fear  or  amazement. 
Who,  could  they  again  return  to  life,  would 
be  good  witness  of  the  truth  of  what  I  have 
deliver'd  ;  and  yet  they  are  not  all  dead 
under  whom  and  by  whom  1  had  the  honor 


MONLUC'S   FAREWELL      479 

to  serve  and  to  be  commanded,  who  although 
they  were  with  much  younger  Captains  than 
I,  it  was  nevertheless  fit  I  should  obey  them. 
Monsieur  le  Due  d'Aumale,  and  the  Mares- 
chaux  de  CofFe  and  de  Vielle  Ville  are  of 
this  number  ;  and  I  beseech  you  (my  noble 
Lords  if  my  Book  peradventure  fall  into  your 
hands)  to  do  me  right,  and  declare  whether 
what  I  have  here  deliver'd  be  true  or  false  ; 
for  you  have  been  eye-witnesses  of  part  of  it  ; 
and  I  fancie  that  after  my  death  you  will  be 
curious  to  see  what  I  have  writ.  There  are 
others  also  who  are  able  to  give  me  the  lye, 
if  I  have  said  ought  but  true  ;  namely  Signior 
Ludovico  de  Biraga  and  Monsiur  le  Presi- 
dent  le  Birague,  who  never  abandoned  that 
brave  Mareschal  de  Brissac.  Several  others 
are  yet  living  who  have  been  my  Companions 
in  Arms,  and  many  others  who  have  serv'd 
under  my  Command  ;  all  which  are  able 
to  affirm  the  truth  of  what  I  have  said, 
and  whether  whenever  there  was  a  debate 
about  any  Execution  I  did  not  always  think 
nothing  impossible  ;  but  on  the  contrary 
concluded  things  feasible,  which  others  con- 
cluded impossible  to  be  effected.  I  undertook 
it,  and  brought  it  about,  having  evermore  that 
stedfast  assurance  in  God,  that  he  would  not 
forsake  me,  but  open  the  eyes  of  my  under- 


48o        BLAISE   DE    MONLUC 

standing  to  see  what  was  to  be  done  to  make 
my  Enterprize  succeed.  I  never  thought 
any  thing  impossible  but  the  taking  of 
Thionville,  of  which  the  honor  is  to  be 
attributed  to  Monsieur  de  Guise  alone,  and 
in  truth  there  was  more  of  fortune  than  reason 
in  that  success,  though  the  said  Sieur  de 
Guise  was  ever  confident  he  should  carry  it, 
and  so  he  did. 

Fellows  in  arms,  how  many  and  how 
great  things  shall  you  perform  if  you  put 
your  whole  trust  in  God,  and  set  honor  con- 
tinually before  your  eyes  ?  discoursing  with 
your  selves  that  if  it  be  determin'd  you 
shall  end  your  dayes  in  a  Breach  'tis  to  much 
purpose  to  stay  behind  in  the  Grasse.  Un 
bel  morir  (says  the  Italian)  tuta  la  vita  honara. 
'Tis  to  die  like  a  beast  for  a  man  to  leave  no 
memory  behind  him.  Never  go  about  to 
deprive  another  man  of  his  honor,  nor  even 
set  avarice  and  ambition  in  your  prospect : 
for  you  will  find  that  it  will  all  come  to 
nought,  and  end  in  misery  and  disgrace.  I 
do  not  say  this  that  I  have  any  mind  to  play 
the  Preacher,  but  merely  out  of  respect  to 
truth.  How  many  are  there  in  the  world, 
who  are  yet  living,  and  whom  I  shall  forbear 
to  name,  that  have  had  the  reputation  of 
valiant   men,   and   yet   have   been   very  un- 


MONLUCS  FAREWELL       481 

fortunate  in  their  undertakings  ?  Believe  me 
the  hand  of  God  was  in  this,  and  though 
they  might  implore  his  divine  ayd,  their 
devotion  was  not  right,  which  made  the 
Almighty  adverse  to  them.  If  therefore  you 
would  have  God  to  be  assisting  to  you,  you 
must  strip  your  selves  of  ambition,  avarice, 
and  rancour,  and  be  full  of  the  love  and 
loyaltie  we  all  owe  to  our  Prince.  And  in 
so  doing  although  his  quarrel  should  not  be 
just,  God  will  not  for  all  that  withdraw  his 
assistance  from  you  :  for  it  is  not  for  us  to 
ask  our  King  if  his  cause  be  good  or  evil, 
but  only  to  obey  him.  And  if  you  are  not 
rewarded  for  the  services  you  have  performed, 
you  will  not  stomack  your  being  neglected, 
by  reason  it  was  not  your  intention  nor 
design  to  fight  upon  the  score  of  ambition 
and  greatness,  nor  out  of  a  thirst  of  riches  ; 
but  upon  the  account  of  fidelity  and  duty 
that  God  has  commanded  you  to  bear  to 
your  Prince  and  Sovereign.  You  will 
rejoyce  to  find  your  selves  esteem'd  and 
belov'd  by  all  the  world,  which  is  the 
greatest  Treasure  a  man  of  honor  ought  to 
covet.  For  great  Estates  and  high  Titles 
persish  with  the  body,  but  a  good  Reputation 
and  Renown  are  immortal  as  the  Soul.  I 
now  see  my  self  drawing  towards  my  end, 
2  H 


482        BLAISE   DE   MONLUC 

and  languishing  in  my  bed  towards  my 
dissolution,  and  'tis  a  great  consolation  to 
me,  that  in  spite  of  Death  my  name  shall 
live  and  flourish,  not  only  in  Gascony,  but 
moreover  in  foreign  Nations. 

This  then  is  the  end  of  my  Book,  and  of 
thus  far  of  my  life,  which  if  God  shall  please 
longer  to  continue  to  me,  some  other  may 
write  the  rest,  if  ever  I  shall  again  be  in 
place  where  I  shall  perform  any  thing  worthy 
of  my  self;  which  nevertheless  I  do  not 
hope  for,  finding  my  self  so  infinitely 
decayed  that  I  never  again  expect  to  be  able 
to  bear  arms.  I  have  however  this  obliga- 
tion to  the  Harquebuze  shot,  which  has 
pierced  through  and  shatter'd  my  face,  that 
it  has  been  the  occasion  of  writing  these 
Commentaries,  which  I  have  an  opinion  will 
continue  when  I  am  dead  and  gone.  I 
entreat  all  those  who  shall  read  them  not  to 
look  upon  them  as  proceeding  from  the  Pen 
of  an  Historian,  but  of  an  old  Soldier,  and 
a  Gascon,  who  has  writ  his  own  life  truly, 
and  in  the  rough  stile  of  a  Soldier.  All 
such  as  bear  arms  may  take  example  by  it, 
and  acknowledge  that  from  God  alone 
proceed  the  successes  or  the  misfortunes  of 
men.  And  seeing  we  ought  to  have 
recourse  to  him  alone,  let  us  beseech  him  to 


MONLUC'S  FAREWELL      483 

assist  and  advise  us  in  all  our  afflictions,  for 
in  this  world  there  is  nothing  else  of  which 
the  great  ones  have  their  share  as  well  as 
the  meanest  of  us  all.  Wherein  he  mani- 
festeth  his  own  greatness,  in  that  neither 
King  nor  Prince  are  exempted  from  his 
correcting  hand,  and  who  stand  not 
continually  in  need  of  him  and  his  divine 
assistance. 

Do  not  disdain,  you  who  desire  to  follow 
arms,  instead  of  reading  Amadis  de  Gaule^ 
and  Launcelot  du  Lake,  to  spend  sometimes 
an  hour  in  reading  what  I  have  done,  and  in 
taking  notice  of  what  I  have  been,  in  this 
Treatise  that  I  leave  behind  me.  By  which 
means  you  shall  learn  to  know  your  selves, 
and  betimes  to  form  your  selves  to  be 
Soldiers  and  Captains  ;  for  you  must  first 
learn  to  obey,  that  you  may  afterwards  know 
how  to  command.  This  is  not  for  silk- 
worms and  spruce  Courtiers  to  do  ;  nor  for 
those  that  are  in  love  with  their  ease,  but  for 
such  as  by  the  ways  of  virtue  and  at  the 
price  of  their  lives  will  endeavour  to 
immortalize  their  names,  as  I  hope  in 
despite  of  envy  I  have  done  that  of 
Montluc. 


A   BRIEF   BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Commentaires  de  Messire  Blaise  de  Montluc.     Edite  pour  la 

premiere  fois  par  Florimond  de  Re'mond.   Bordeaux, 

1592,  folio. 
Commentaires    et   Lettres.      Edlte    pour    la    Soci6te   de 

I'histoire    de    France    par    Alphonse    de    Ruble. 

Paris,  1864-76,  5  vols. 
The  text  of  the  Commentaires  is  also  to  be  found  in  the 

collections  of  Buchon  (Paris  1 824-1 829,)  Petitot 

ET  MoNMERQu^  (Paris  1819-1829,)  and  Michaud 

ET  PoujouLAT  (Paris  1 8 36- 1 8 39.) 
The  only  English  translation  is  that  by  Charles  Cotton 

from  which  the  extracts  in  this  volume  are  taken. 


CRITICISM 

C.   A.   Sainte-Beuve — Causeries    du   Lundi   Tome    11. 
Hector    de    La    Ferriere — Blaise   de   Montluc^   d^aprks 

sa  correspondance  inedite.     1865. 
Paul  Courteault — Blaise  de  Monluc,  historien.     Etude 

critique  sur  le  texte  et  la    valeur    historique   des 

Commentaires.     1908. 
Paul   Courteault — IJn    Cadet  de    Gascogne   au    XVle 

Siicle,  Blaise  de  Monluc.     1909. 
Charles    Normand — Les    Memorialistes — Monluc,    1892. 

And    short    appreciations    in    most    histories    of 
French  literature. 


MERCAT  PRESS  EDINBURGH 


vcii:^ 


DATE  DUE 


PRINTEOIN  US.*     V 


I 


^^XX"   oooeesTfa 


